BCK Online

BCK Online

  • YOUNG STARS
    • Big Kids
    • Viral Kids
    • Upcoming
  • PARENTING
    • The Gurus
    • Parenting News
    • Hot Topic
  • STYLE
  • PHOTOS
  • VIDEOS
  • MORE
    • NEWS
    • Exclusives
    • Gossip
    • Bump Watch
    • Births
  • BCKCutie
  • TALENT SUBMISSION
BCK Online

Home » NEWS » ZAILA AVANT-GARDE BECOMES THE FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN CONTESTANT TO WIN NATIONAL SPELLING BEE

ZAILA AVANT-GARDE BECOMES THE FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN CONTESTANT TO WIN NATIONAL SPELLING BEE

Gone With The Wind Fabulous!

Sarie by Sarie
Jul 9, 2021
in NEWS, Upcoming
0
1
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on LinkedinShare on Whatsapp

Zaila Avant-garde became the first African American contestant to win the Scripps National Spelling Bee on Thursday (July 8). The 14-year-old from New Orleans, Louisiana, gave a twirl after realizing she won the competition.

Murraya, a genus of flowering plants in the citrus family, was the winning word for Zaila. The teen associated the plant with famous comedian Bill Murray whose last name has similar spelling. One has to, of course, add an “a” at the end of Murray’s name for the correct spelling of the plant.

RelatedPosts

KANDI BURRUSS SAYS DAUGHTER, RILEY, IS ‘LOVING’ COLLEGE

Jul 6, 2022

DREAM KARDASHIAN STARS IN HER FIRST COMMERCIAL WITH GRANDMA KRIS JENNER

Jul 6, 2022

Zaila endured several other rounds before taking the win in the final segment. The word “Nepeta” was especially difficult for the young scholar to spell.

Remember to twirl like Zaila Avant-garde today ❤️ pic.twitter.com/9UOF3Rb1fk

— Karine Jean-Pierre (@K_JeanPierre) July 9, 2021

“It would have been really bad if I had gotten knocked out then because I would have been kicking myself because I knew everything about the word except exactly how to spell it,” Zalia shares with the press. “I was pretty relaxed on the subject of Murraya and pretty much any other word I got,” she adds.

Her success in this year’s National Spelling Bee is just one of many ways Zaila shines in life. The youngster is also quite the basketball player and a three-time Guinness World Record holder.

#8thgrader #Middleschooler Zaila Avant-garde, ⚡️💨. pic.twitter.com/fyjKQI4rME

— Zaila Avant-garde (@Basketballasart) June 1, 2021

“I kind of thought I would never be into spelling again, but I’m also happy that I’m going to make a clean break from it,” Zaila says when discussing her plans going forward. “I can go out, like my Guinness world records, just leave it right there and walk off,” the teen says.

Honoring Black Fatherhood Worldwide.
Sharing Honor. Sharing Love. Celebrating Real Dads.  Real Dads Celebrating Real Dads 👊🏿👊🏿👊🏿

Zaila Avant-garde is with her dad Jawara in the photo, who changed her last name to Avant-garde in honor of jazz musician John Coltrane". Zaila only pic.twitter.com/U1KSLgVeer

— Real Dads Network (@RealDadsNetwork) July 9, 2021

Zaila practiced for seven hours at a time in preparation for the Scripps National Spelling Bee. She now plans to focus on other ambitions such as attending Harvard University and playing for the NBA one day. “I’ll find something else to do,” the Louisiana teen tells the press. “Trust me.”

Photo: YouTube

Post Views: 4,460
Tags: National Spelling BeeZaila Avant Garde
ShareTweetShareSend
Previous Post

MARSAI MARTIN TALKS CONFIDENCE AND SELF-CARE WITH YAHOO'S "THE UNWIND"

Next Post

NICKI MINAJ SAYS SHE FEELS 'GUILTY' WHENEVER SHE IS AWAY FROM HER BABY BOY

Don’t miss out on BCK’s newsletter to get breaking celebrity news, hot pics and more delivered straight to your inbox!

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Sarie

Sarie

Sarie is a writer and editor for BCK's Los Angeles division. She also shares stories on Medium that are meant to encourage thought and discussion. You can catch her outside enjoying nature and classical literature. Pop culture is pretty fun, too!

Related Posts

KANDI BURRUSS SAYS DAUGHTER, RILEY, IS ‘LOVING’ COLLEGE

by Sarie
4 hours ago
0

Riley Burruss is loving her life as a college student at New York University (NYU)....

DREAM KARDASHIAN STARS IN HER FIRST COMMERCIAL WITH GRANDMA KRIS JENNER

by Sarie
6 hours ago
0

Dream Kardashian is getting into the family business. The youngster recently joined her grandmother, Kris...

CARDI B SHARES CUTE CANDIDS OF HER SON

by Sarie
13 hours ago
0

Cardi B is soaking up every bit of joy with her son, Wave. The 'Money'...

ABBY DE LA ROSA IS OKAY WITH NICK CANNON’S BLENDED FAMILY

by Sarie
15 hours ago
0

Abby De La Rosa is totally fine with her sons, Zion and Zillion, having so...

Load More
Next Post

NICKI MINAJ SAYS SHE FEELS 'GUILTY' WHENEVER SHE IS AWAY FROM HER BABY BOY

Newsletter

Don’t miss out on BCK’s newsletter to get breaking celebrity news, hot pics and more delivered straight to your inbox!

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

  • Privacy Policy
  • Advertise On BCK
  • Talent Submissions

© 2018 BCK Online.

  • YOUNG STARS
    • Big Kids
    • Viral Kids
    • Upcoming
  • PARENTING
    • The Gurus
    • Parenting News
    • Hot Topic
  • STYLE
  • PHOTOS
  • VIDEOS
  • MORE
    • NEWS
    • Exclusives
    • Gossip
    • Bump Watch
    • Births
  • BCKCutie
  • TALENT SUBMISSION

© 2018 BCK Online.