Can you say W-O-W?
A 14-year-old word whiz from Louisiana just outshone the competition at the 2021 Scripps National Spelling Bee Championship.
Avant-garde’s victory was an historic one for a number of reasons.
Most significantly, she’s the first Black American competitor to take home the prestigious award.
(PerPBS, a girl from Jamaica won the bee in 1998.)
That distinction wasn’t lost on formerPresident Barack Obama, who took toTwitterto offer his congratulations.
“Three Guinness World Records and now the national spelling bee champ!
Congrats, Zaila your hard work is paying off.
We’re all proud of you,” he wrote.
The young champ is well aware of the importance of her accomplishment.
“I want to inspire everybody, especially African American girls,” Avant-garde toldPeoplein a post-competition interview.
She competed two years ago but didn’t make it past the preliminary round.
She went on to study with a past champion to prepare for the next competition.
But Avant-garde is ready to move on.
AnotherObama Michelletweeted, “Yes, Zaila!
We are so, so proud of you!”
Definition: Zaila Avant-garde.
Congratulations on your amazing #SpellingBee win,@BasketballAsArt!
We hope you’ll join the NASA family one day!"
