DALLAS — The 2024 Scripps National Spelling Bee is heading into its final round and North Texas can be P-R-O-U-D to have one of its own among the spelling bee finalists.
Faizan Zaki, 12, a sixth grader at Rice Middle School in Plano ISD, is among the eight who will participate in the Finals tomorrow beginning at 7 p.m.
To learn how to watch the competition, visit the Scripps National Spelling Bee website. All rounds of the competition are broadcast on ION platforms.
Zaki previously competed in the spelling bee in 2019 when he tied for 370th, and in 2023 when he tied for 21st.
Before heading to the Scripps National Spelling Bee, Zaki was one of two students to win the 66th-annual Dallas Regional Spelling Bee held March 9 at the WFAA studio in Dallas.
Sriya Gomatam, 14, an eighth-grader at Coppell Middle School North, tied for 23rd place. Gomatam previously competed in 2023, when she tied for 23rd place.
Zaki is not the only Texan in the finals, though. Kirsten Santos, 13, an eighth grader from the Houston area, is also among the top eight finalists. To view the full list of finalists, click here.
The Scripps National Spelling Bee welcomed 245 spellers to National Harbor, Maryland from May 26-30 for the nationally-televised competition.
