As the saying goes, delay is not denial.

Perhaps no one could speak to the validity of that statement more than Faizan Zaki. With his correct spelling of éclaircissement, he recently became the 2025 Scripps National Spelling Bee champion, realizing a goal that he fell short of achieving one year ago.

“After I got second, I was excited but I was definitely disappointed,” Faizan told The Informer as he reflected on his loss to Bruhat Soma during the 2024 Scripps National Spelling Bee. “I wanted to go back and do better next year and look where I am now. I think I definitely achieved my goal.”

On the night of May 29, Faizan counted among nine finalists who graced the stage at the Gaylord National Harbor Resort and Convention Center in Oxon Hill, Maryland. During 10 intense rounds, he and

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