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Southern University and Other Schools Offer a Full-Ride Scholarship to 14-Year Old Spelling Bee Champ Zaila Avant-Garde

Southern University and Other Schools Offer a Full-Ride Scholarship to 14-Year Old Spelling Bee Champ Zaila Avant-Garde
Posted By: Kennedy Williams on July 12, 2021


Ever since 14-year old Zaila Avant-garde become the first African American to win the Scripps National Spelling Bee, her name has been everywhere! From stories about her intellect to videos of her breaking records and dominating on the basketball court, the nation has been celebrating this incredibly special young lady.

Zaila's winning, however, didn't end with the spelling bee. In fact, it has only just begun. Several universities and colleges have since offered her full-ride scholarships when the time comes for her to pursue higher education. One of the schools being, HBCU Southern University.

Ray L.



Belton, Southern University president-chancellor, tweeted Saturday evening that he would not only offer the Harvey, Lousiana native a scholarship but also establish a “Zaila Day” on campus where Zaila would have the opportunity to meet with students leaders, faculty, and alumni.

“Our student leaders, faculty, and alumni look forward to meeting with you,” the tweet read. “We welcome you to the #JaguarNation!”

Southern University is not the only Lousiana-based school looking to have Zaila. The new LSU president William Tate also offered Avant-garde a full-ride scholarship and invited her to join the LSU Roger Hadfield Ogden Honors College. The Louisiana Community and Technical College was the first academic institution to offer Zaila a full scholarship to attend any community and technical college in the state.

While we know that this young lady will thrive regardless of where she ends up going to college, we do hope that she ends up at one of our beloved HBCUs!
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