What is ‘Éclaircissement'? See how a Texas teen's perfect spelling sealed the Scripps National Spelling Bee!

Time of India

3 days ago

See how a Texas teen's perfect spelling sealed the Scripps National Spelling Bee
In a nail-biting final that showcased both linguistic mastery and emotional resilience, 13-year-old Faizan Zaki of Allen, Texas, emerged victorious at the 97th Scripps National Spelling Bee, held on May 29, 2024.
This remarkable win came just a year after Zaki's second-place finish in the 2023 Bee, positioning him among a rare group of comeback champions. The event, hosted just outside Washington, D.C., captivated viewers with unexpected turns, high-pressure moments, and a showcase of America's brightest young spellers. With a flawless rendering of the word 'éclaircissement' in the championship round, Zaki secured the coveted title and the $52,500 top prize.
But the road to victory was far from straightforward.
How a rare rule saved Faizan Zaki's chance at the championship
The final round featured eight exceptional spellers, all of whom had advanced through rigorous rounds of competition. Among them were Sarvadnya Kadam and Sarv Dharavane, both of whom had built strong reputations throughout the preliminary rounds.
During one of the pivotal rounds, Zaki was presented with the word 'commelina', a genus of flowering plants. In a moment of misstep, he began spelling it incorrectly, getting the first three letters wrong before halting himself.
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Undo
According to the rules, prematurely attempting a word usually results in disqualification. However, head judge Mary Brooks determined that Zaki's answer was incomplete, and allowed the round to end without penalizing him fully.
This rare decision reset the competition, bringing back Sarvadnya and Sarv for another attempt. Unfortunately, both were eliminated in subsequent rounds, while Zaki recovered with striking composure.
His focus in the final stages proved unshakable, culminating in his championship-winning performance.
How Faizan Zaki joined the elite club of
Spelling Bee comeback
winners
Faizan Zaki now joins an elite circle of spelling bee participants who've managed to return from a near-win to ultimately take home the title. He is only the fifth contestant in the Bee's nearly century-long history to achieve this feat and the first since Sean Conley in 2001.
In 2023, Zaki had narrowly lost to Bruhat Soma in a 'spell-off' lightning round — a format introduced to break ties with speed-based spelling.
Despite the disappointment, Zaki continued to train rigorously, using his previous experience as motivation. His perseverance not only earned him the championship but brought his total spelling bee earnings to $77,500, including the $25,000 runner-up prize from the previous year.
When asked how he used part of his previous winnings, Zaki shared that he had purchased a $1,500 Rubik's Cube with 21 squares per side, underscoring his fascination with intellectual challenges and puzzles.
What is
Éclaircissement
Zaki's winning word — 'éclaircissement' — is a French-derived noun that means 'clarification' or 'an enlightening explanation.' Its use in the final round added an extra layer of difficulty, not only due to its French origin and spelling nuances but also because of its relatively rare usage in everyday English. Zaki's swift and confident delivery of the correct spelling demonstrated both his phonetic precision and his deep familiarity with language etymology.
Honoring the past and looking ahead
The 2024 competition also marked a significant milestone in the history of the Scripps National Spelling Bee. This year's event was the final one held at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland — the Bee's home for the past 14 years. Beginning in 2026, the event will move to the DAR Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C., a historic venue just blocks from the White House.
This change in venue is part of the build-up to the 100th anniversary of the Bee, which will be celebrated in 2025.
To commemorate the occasion, past champions were invited to this year's finals as special guests, highlighting the legacy and cultural impact of the competition.
Inside the Scripps National Spelling Bee
Founded in 1925, the Scripps National Spelling Bee is more than just a spelling contest — it's a high-pressure intellectual competition that demands months (if not years) of preparation. Participants, mostly between the ages of 11 and 14, must master word roots, language rules, etymology, pronunciation, and foreign-derived vocabulary.
Winners often gain not just prize money, but national recognition, academic opportunities, and scholarships. The grand prize package, sponsored by the E.W. Scripps Company, includes:
$50,000 cash
An engraved championship trophy
A $2,500 cash prize from Merriam-Webster
A reference library and subscription package
Airfare and accommodations for finalists and their families
What makes a champion? Faizan Zaki's edge
Zaki's victory is a reflection of more than raw talent — it showcases qualities like mental resilience, composure under pressure, and sustained dedication. Experts in education and cognition often point to spelling bee champions as models of how early intellectual challenges can shape young minds. Zaki's journey, especially his recovery from the 2023 loss, illustrates the value of persistence in the face of setbacks.
With his Rubik's Cube collection and passion for wordplay, Zaki has proven that curiosity and commitment are at the heart of elite-level academic achievement.
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