By Shane Farias / FM Hip Hop
The 14-year-old basketball prodigy and three-time Guinness World Record holder correctly spelled the word Murraya to clinch the Scripps National Spelling Bee championship on Thursday night. In case you were wondering, Murraya is a “genus of flowering citrus tree that comes from eastern Asia and Australia.”
Since the victory, Avant-garde has received numerous offers from colleges throughout the country, including a full-ride scholarship to Louisiana State University. Her overnight celebrity is also being recognized by the likes of the Good Morning America crew and Oprah Winfrey herself.
And this is not the extent of her success either. Avant-garde became the first African American to win the Scripps National Spelling Bee in its 96-year history. The native of Louisiana has also already made appearances on Good Morning America, the Today Show and CBS This Morning. This will likely not be the end of public appearances (or perhaps world records) either. Along with her most recent award, the three that she currently holds include:
If what you were doing in eighth grade even slightly resembles one of Zaila’s list of feats, then hats off to you.
I know I sure as hell wasn’t doing anything like that.
Finally, on behalf of myself as well as the rest of the FM crew, I would like to say congratulations on another admirable triumph. I can’t wait to see what lies ahead.
Be sure to check out Renae Richardson’s feature on the Beyoncé Foundation right here.
