Columnist Justice B. Hill celebrates Cleveland teens who are showcasing their creativity and resilience by turning everyday words into art at a local poetry slam.

Bushman, in the seventh round of the semifinals, was unfortunately tripped up by the word “oxter,” which she spelled as “ochster.” Still, Bushman managed to achieve a tie for 41st place in the ...

Faizan Zaki, champion of 2025 Scripps National Spelling Bee, poses with some of his trophies he won during his spelling journey, on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, at his residence in Allen. (Shafkat ...

He had everything under control. Faizan Zaki celebrates after winning the Scripps National Spelling Bee championship. And after finishing second the year prior, the moment still felt elusive.

Faizan Zaki, 13, of Dallas, holds the trophy after winning the 2025 Scripps National Spelling Bee at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center Thursday, May 29, 2025, in Oxon Hill, Md. (AP ...

Faizan Zaki, 13, of Dallas, reacts as he wins the 2025 Scripps National Spelling Bee, Thursday, May 29, 2025, in Oxon Hill, Md.

Faizan Zaki’s enthusiasm for spelling nearly got the better of him. Ultimately, his joyful approach made him the Scripps National Spelling Bee champion.

Faizan Zaki was declared the winner of the Scripps National Spelling Bee on Thursday, May 29. After three days of competition, Zaki beat the other nine finalists to win the competition.

OXON HILL, Md. — In 2024, Faizan Zaki came up short in the spell-off. That wasn’t going to happen again. Because he made sure there was no spell-off. But he also didn’t make it easy on ...

Faizan Zaki wins Scripps National Spelling Bee, becoming the 100th champion with his enthusiasm and passion for language.