Out of 243 competitors in this year’s Scripps National Spelling Bee, 22 hailed from Texas, with four representing North Texas. After the tenth round, only one Texan remained in the competition: Faizan Zaki from Plano.
Zaki, a 13-year-old 7th grader at C.M. Rice Middle School, is participating in the spelling bee for the fourth time. Having secured the second place last year, he has previously ranked 370th in 2019 and 21st in 2023. Outside of his spelling pursuits, Zaki enjoys video games, speedcubing, and playing the viola. He is sponsored by the Dallas Sports Commission and has one final opportunity to compete in the Bee in 2025.
The other North Texas competitors included Shreyansh Zadoo, 14, an 8th grader at Van Alstyne Junior High making his Scripps debut with aspirations of becoming a paleontologist; Avishka Dudala, 12, a 7th grader at Prosper’s Rogers Middle School who enjoys tennis and creative writing; and Brihasa Veduru, 12, a 7th grader at Keller Middle School and a returning competitor who finished 57th in 2023.
Throughout the competition, several Texas spellers faced elimination, with notable performances contributing to the overall excitement of the event. The spellers receive a variety of prizes, including certificates and subscriptions, while quarterfinalists and semifinalists receive gift cards and medals, culminating in the champion receiving a $50,000 cash prize along with the prestigious Scripps Cup.
Texas has a storied history in the National Spelling Bee, with 16 victories—more than any other state. The last victor from Texas was Harini Logan in 2022, showing the state’s continued excellence in this challenging competition.
Overall, this year’s Scripps National Spelling Bee highlights not only individual talent but also the dedication and potential of young spellers from Texas, making it an event to watch with great anticipation.