Shocking Spelling Bee win for 13-year-old Faizan Zaki
13-year-old Faizan Zaki won the 2025 Scripps National Spelling Bee, a year after coming in at second place. Chris Jansing breaks down the historic 100th National Spelling Bee win.
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Chesapeake student competes in Scripps National Bee
Jun. 4—Makes it to third round of 100th anniversary event WASHINGTON, D.C. — It was long road getting there, but a Chesapeake student took part in the Scripps National Spelling Bee on the outskirts of the nation's capital over the weekend. Joseph Keffer, who just finished fifth grade, qualified for the event after winning the district bee for southeast Ohio in Athens in the spring. Prior to that, he won the Lawrence County Spelling Bee in December, for which he qualified by winning his school's bee. Keffer was one of 243 regional champions to make it nationals. The Scripps National Bee, which is in its 100th year, took place from May 25-30 at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland. "It was awesome," Joseph said of his experience. "And I made a lot of friends." At the national bee, Keffer made it through Round 1, correctly spelling "furan," then succeeded in Round 2. He then moved into Round 3, which was a written test to qualify for the event's quarterfinals. Keffer's mother, Laura, said he came only two points from that threshold. "He was close," she said, noting that he and those eliminated at that point tied for 100th place overall. "He was 100th in the 100th. Our goal this year was to make it through rounds 1 and 2 and we accomplished that." The spelling bee is open to fourth through eighth graders and, with three years of eligibility ahead of him, Joseph has the opportunity to try again. "Oh, yes," he said, when asked if he plans to compete again in the next school year. His mother summed up the family's experience. "Being here for the 100th spelling bee, being at the national spelling bee is something I never dreamed we'd do and it has been very special to be a part of it," Laura Keffer said. "We are very proud of Joseph and what he has accomplished." Keffer is the third Lawrence County speller to make it to the national bee this century. Last year, Meredith Dunlap, of Fairland Middle School, competed in the event as a seventh grader. (Dunlap came in second at this year's county and regional bees). In 2010, Felicity Jenkins, then a sixth grader at Symmes Valley, made the trip to nationals. The bee capped off a strong year for Keffer. He was also part of the fifth grade Quiz Bowl team, which won the Lawrence County ESC's talented and gifted tournament at the end of the school year, while, a year prior, he was on the winning team for the ESC's Math Pong event. You Might Like News Proctorville woman killed in WV crash Education FLE kindergarteners celebrate with Wyngate residents (WITH GALLERY) Business Azure Standard announces $9.3M investment in county News Ashland woman killed in UTV accident
Yahoo
2 days ago
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ÉCLAIRCISSEMENT: Texas Teen Wins 2025 Scripps National Spelling Bee
Faizan Zaki, a 13-year-old from Allen, Texas, clinched the 2025 Scripps National Spelling Bee on Thursday, correctly spelling 'éclaircissement' to claim the title and over $50,000 in cash and prizes in a dramatic final round. Zaki, last year's runner-up, triumphed over eight finalists in the centennial Scripps National Spelling Bee, hosted at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center near Washington, D.C. The contest began with 243 spellers aged 11 to 14, narrowed to Zaki, Sarv Dharavane, 11, and Sarvadnya Kadam, 14. All three misspelled words in one round, forcing a tense additional round. 'I can't remember the last time we've seen this kind of late-round drama here at the spelling bee,' Paul Loeffler, the Bee's TV analyst, said, per CBS News. In the 21st round, Zaki faced Kadam and spelled 'éclaircissement,' a noun meaning a clearing up of something obscure. He pumped his fists and collapsed to the floor in excitement after finishing the word. 'I'm really happy,' Zaki said afterward. Earlier, he faltered on the spelling of 'commelina' but was reinstated after collective missteps by his fellow finalists. Zaki's victory as the 110th champion of the Scripps spelling bee adds to Texas' legacy of spelling champions. He is the 17th winner from the Lone Star State. Beyond the Scripps Cup, he earned a $50,000 prize from Scripps, a $2,500 award and reference library from Merriam-Webster, and $400 in Encyclopædia Britannica reference works. A self-proclaimed 'linguistics nerd,' Zaki is eyeing the math olympiad next, reflecting his wide-ranging interests. The Scripps National Spelling Bee, which started in 1925, will move to Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C., in 2026.
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Greg Cote Show: What Spelling Bees say about parenting, doubling-down on McOverrated, hitchhiking & more
Lots going on in the latest Greg Cote Show podcast Episode #273, out now, but two topics rise highest and tussle for the top of the marquee: ▪ The Scripps National Spelling Bee celebrates its 100th year and we celebrate the latest champion (a 13-year-old boy from Texas) and his winning word. I discuss my own past as a former elementary-school bee champ. And we mull over how children of Indian-American descent have come to dominate the national bee because they are teaching their kids intellectual pursuits while so-called 'American' parents steer the offspring to sports and stick a laptop in their hands to keep them quiet. The bee talk leads us to a video ranking of animal intelligence, dumbest to smartest, relative to humans. ▪ We preview the upcoming Florida Panthers-Edmonton Oilers Stanley Cup Final rematch: I stir the pot on Connor 'McOverrated' and we brainstorm derogatory nicknames for his sidekick Leon Draisaitl. Also, the rarity of championship rematches, our predictions on who'll win and more. This is our 273rd episode overall and 22nd of 2025 and we welcome you back as always. Also on the new show: ▪ Me on growing up in the hitchhiking era. Which leads us to a Finger Hall of Fame -- and my unexpected first-ballot nominee. ▪ How Jumpin' Charlie delayed recording of latest episode. ▪ Chris' 'Intelligence Few Minutes.' ▪ Le Batard's unusual praise of our episode last week. ▪ Chris analyzes the 'Slow Children At Play' road signs. ▪ Video of Greg's new racehorse, Isla Grande, boarding an Argentina-to-Miami flight. ▪ Chris' (alleged) disgusting behavior with a Blizzard spoon. ▪ The under-analyzed rivalry of Bullshit vs. Horseshit. ▪ Gracelin's gymnastics performance. ▪ Is a Grandfather vs. Granddaughter Olympics in the works? ▪ New Dad Jokes, Three Facts, Jack!, Gripe of Wrath and the Top 20 Herbs Countdown -- No. 7! There's all of this and more in our new GCS #273. Aside from occasional bonus episodes, a new show drops every Monday morning at 7 on Apple Podcasts, Spotify — wherever you pod, including at Find our entire show catalog with all 273 episodes HERE. (We also simulcast on Sirius XM radio Mondays from 5 to 6 p.m.) Our podcast debuted in March 2020 just as the pandemic hit. (Coincidence; don't blame us). We thank you all, our pod family, for your great and growing support. Please continue to listen, rate, review, follow and tell all your friends and family, too! Check us out at The Greg Cote Show on YouTube -- the channel is spankin' new and improved! And follow @TheGregCoteShow on it's-still-Twitter-to-me. Also visit website and click 'Shop' for our merch store, including a variety of fresh designs. Shoppin' It.
