#BlackGirlMagic National Scripps Spelling Bee Champ, Zaila Avant-garde, Named Sports Kid of the Year
There's a lot of things that you can deny in the world but, you CAN'T deny the absolute phenomenon that is Zaila Avant-garde! Avant-garde won the 2021 Scripps National Spelling Bee and made her way into the hearts of an entire nation with her smile, and jubilant jump for joy! Take a look.
Avant-garde was the first African-American to win the Scripps National Spelling Bee Championship since 1998! When speaking of her historic win Avant-garde said “It’s kind of bittersweet for me. I’m super happy to be the first African-American girl to win. But also it’s like, this should not be happening. I should not be the only one doing it.”
She isn't just talented with it comes to words though. Avant-garde is a beast with the basketball as well! She even holds a world record for her abilities!
One of the world records she holds is the Guinness World Record for most bounce juggles with both three and four balls in a minute, most bounces with four balls in 30 seconds and tied the record for most balls dribbled at the same time with six, according to SIKIDS.com.
The homeschooled ninth grader is also a beast on the court.
“I love to pass and give assists because I love to get my other teammates involved and just make them happy and make their days go better,” she says, before adding: “And, uh, I also like to score. Don’t mess with me because if you make me angry, I am definitely scoring on you the next time down.”
For her excellence in competition and her devotion to learning, Zaila Avant-garde is the 2021 SportsKid of the Year and we couldn't think of a better candidate!
Avant-garde's father, Jawara Spacetime, says that he saw something unique in his daughter when she was three and began to cultivate her talents.
Parents, let this be a lesson to you, when you see that your child has a knack for something different, encourage them to try it out. You never know, you may just have the next astronaut, scientist or mathematical genius sitting in your lap.
