Zaila Avant-garde Is 1st African-American Teen to Win Scripps Spelling Bee

July 9, 2021

History was made at the Scripps National Spelling Bee this year. Zaila Avant-garde, 14, is the first African American to win the coveted title of Spelling Bee Champion. The competition came down to Zaila and a 12-year-old girl and Zaila was a little worried when the judges gave her the winning word: murraya. She had never heard of it, but it’s actually a flower grown in China. She gave everyone a chuckle when she related the word to comedic actor Bill Murray. 
 

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