Spelling Zaki: Teen with Telangana roots stings the Spelling Bee

Time of India

4 hours ago

Hyderabad: Fresh off his triumph at the Scripps National Spelling Bee in the US, 13-year-old Faizan Zaki reflects on a remarkable journey — from a small private school classroom to one of America's most prestigious academic stages.
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The Indian-American teen clinched the championship by correctly spelling "éclaircissement," a French word meaning "an enlightening explanation."
Faizan, generous at heart, plans to donate part of his $50,000 prize money to support underprivileged communities in both the US and India. "I've been blessed with opportunities, but I know many others aren't as fortunate," he says. "We haven't finalised where to donate yet, but I hope my contribution gives others a chance to shine."
His spelling bee journey began in first grade when his school made participation mandatory. "I got lucky and won, and that success motivated me to aim higher," he recalls. But his early years were far from easy. "I started as a rookie with little knowledge of language patterns, roots, and exceptions," he says. Things changed when he joined a group chat of fellow spellers, where he picked up vital strategies and coaching tips.
Faizan's preparation was intense. He read dictionaries, studied thousands of words using SpellPundit, and often stayed up past 2 am juggling homework and spelling practice. "Balancing both was tough," he admits.
Crucial to his success were his coaches, who conducted rapid-fire drills to plug his weak spots. Faizan also relied on Google Sheets to track tricky words and used Merriam-Webster's Unabridged Dictionary to master obscure etymologies and letter patterns.
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Born and raised in the US, Faizan's roots trace back to Telangana. His father, Anwar Zaki, hails from Khammam, while his mother, Dr Arshia Quadri, is from Hyderabad and studied medicine at Gandhi Medical College.
The family has made regular visits to India, with the most recent one in July 2023. "This year, we had to skip the trip due to Faizan's preparation, but we plan to visit again soon," says Anwar, who has lived in the US since 1997.
Faizan remembers the moment the final word was announced. "I recognised it instantly. I knew I had it," he says. "Spelling each letter clearly, I felt relief and joy when I realised I'd won. It was the culmination of a seven-year journey."
His victory sparked celebrations not just in the US but also in Hyderabad and Khammam. "My grandma from Khammam and aunt called us right after the news broke — they were thrilled," he says.
"I love visiting Hyderabad and Khammam — the kindness of people, the amazing food, and the mix of greenery and modernity always stay with me," Faizan says. Representing the Indian-American community on such a big stage was also deeply meaningful. "My dad always said, 'This win is for the entire Indian diaspora,' and that inspired me to push harder."
A fan of competitive maths, Faizan hopes to pursue it further. Outside academics, he enjoys playing the viola, speedcubing, and hanging out with friends — many of whom he met through spelling bees and still keeps in touch with. "These friendships are among the most rewarding parts of my journey," he says.