Spelling Bee Winner Offered Full Ride From LSU And Southern

Zaila Avant-garde has become quite the celebrity since winning the 2021 Scripps National Spelling Bee a week ago. The 14-year old basketball enthusiast, from Harvey, La. captivated the world with her historic win. Zaila became the very first African American to win the Scripps Bee in it's 93-year history when she spelled the word "Murraya". She said clinching the win, "I knew murraya because, as I'm sure I kind of implied, I'd always connected it with Bill Murray."

Zaila is a gifted young lady, with a super bright future. Matter of fact, shortly after her epic wining the spelling bee, two Louisiana Universities offered to give her a full ride! It appears Zaila has fans in some pretty high places. LSU President William F. Tate and Southern University President Dr. Ray Belton took to social media to congratulate the amazing teen. If that's not enough, they both went on to offer her a full scholarship opportunity if she desired to attend either school to obtain her college education.

In addition, to gaining the attention some of Louisiana's most prestigious universities, Zaila picked up a few more best wishes. The New Orleans Saints and the New Orleans Pelicans joined the celebratory salutations too! We wish you the very best young one.