Thirteen-year-old Faizan Zaki of Dallas, Texas, won the 2025 Scripps National Spelling Bee. His remarkable skill and tremendous work ethic always seemed to rise to the occasion, especially in the competitive landscape. Zaki had won, spelling éclaircissement correctly, a word, as he pointed out, that is a noun meaning clarification or enlightenment. His path leading up to this moment was not without years of hard practice with a true commitment to a work ethic that’s rare.
Winning among thousands of competitors from across the country, Zaki’s confidence shone through over the course of the event. His confidence didn’t waver as he spelled the last word, instantly identifying it without a moment’s pause to request clarification. The weight of that moment felt all consuming. Then, suddenly, right after Zaki spelled “éclaircissement,” he collapsed on stage.
Zaki’s preparation for this competition was rigorous. Since then, he’s been a competitive speller for almost seven years. He spends five to six hours on week days and seven to eight hours on weekends preparing. The only way to measure his commitment was with the clock — nearly 40 hours a week dedicated to scanning dictionaries and honing his craft.
“I mean, yeah, I’ve been in this for seven years so at this point I’m not really that nervous,” said Zaki, reflecting on his experience.
On the day of the competition, Zaki wore a fashionably-oversized hoodie and kept it cool, calling the judges “bro.” His casual manner lulled you into his confidence, which he took care to never let veer into cockiness.
“I’m definitely confident but not overconfident. I also have that casual style,” he added.
Despite the tempest of acclaim following his stunning victory, Zaki only clocked two hours of sleep. Through all of the fatigue, there was a real desire from him to build on that academic experience.
“I really enjoy math so maybe I can try getting into the International Mathematical Olympiad,” Zaki stated.
Zaki’s spelling bee win is a victory for the power of persistence. It paints a picture of the commitment and hard work that young competitors are bringing to their craft. His accomplishment serves as a model to young spellers all over the globe! It demonstrates what dedication and determination can do!
