Zaila Avant-garde, who made history in March 2021 as the first African American to win the Scripps National Spelling Bee, is now leveraging her fame to pursue a career in space exploration. As a freshman at the University of Maryland, she is majoring in cell biology and genetics, with aspirations of becoming a biomedical researcher. Avant-garde aims to further her education by entering a PhD program immediately after completing her undergraduate studies.
The word that secured her victory, “Murraya,” still resonates with her. “My winning word was Murraya, which is spelled M-U-R-R-A-Y-A. It’s a subtropical genus of plants,” she recalled. Her preparation for the Spelling Bee was intense, resembling the commitment of an elite athlete. “I studied about 13,000 words a day for around seven hours daily, often with two tutors as I approached the event,” she explained.
Inspiration and Achievements
Avant-garde’s win catapulted her into the national spotlight, leading to numerous opportunities. “I’ve been featured in many commercials, including those with Shaquille O’Neal, and I also secured a publishing deal with Random House, becoming a New York Times bestselling author,” she said.
While Jody-Anne Maxwell previously won the award in 1998, Avant-garde is recognized as the first American-born Black woman to achieve this milestone. The significance of her accomplishment extends beyond personal success, inspiring young African American students to engage more deeply with reading and academic competitions. “Many parents approach me, expressing how my success has motivated their children to participate in spelling bees and develop a love for reading,” she noted.
Beyond her spelling prowess, Avant-garde is also a Guinness World Record holder in multiple basketball dribbling categories, highlighting her diverse talents and interests.
Aiming for the Stars
Looking ahead, Avant-garde has her sights set on contributing to space exploration. “One of my main goals is to work with NASA’s Human Research Program to facilitate human habitation on other planets, such as Mars and the Moon,” she said. Her vision reflects her commitment to ground-breaking scientific research and exploration.
To those pursuing their own ambitious dreams, her message is succinct yet powerful: “Don’t listen to people telling you that you can’t do it.” Zaila Avant-garde exemplifies the potential of determination and vision, as she continues to inspire the next generation while striving for achievements that could reshape humanity’s future.