Texas' Faizan Zaki, 13, celebrates after spelling "eclaircissement" to win the Scripps National Spelling Bee on Thursday night. Jack Gruber-USA TODAY "Just ring the bell," he told head judge Mary ...

OXON HILL, Md. (AP) — Faizan Zaki's enthusiasm for spelling nearly got the better of him. Ultimately, his joyful approach made him the Scripps National Spelling Bee champion.

Gabriel uses practice spelling apps on the phone, but beyond trying to memorize the whole dictionary, he’s at a loss for how to better his game. He’s a natural, said his mom, Whitney Aguirre.

The 2025 Scripps National Spelling Bee wrapped up this week with participants navigating words the average person likely never heard of, let alone could spell.

Jacques Bailly, a past Scripps National Spelling Bee winner, has served as the head pronouncer for decades. He picked 10 words for The Washington Post’s quiz.