LSU president offers National Spelling Bee winner, Zaila Avant-garde full scholarship

Louisiana State University (LSU) on Saturday offered Zaila Avant-garde, the first African American contestant to win the Scripps National Spelling Bee, a full scholarship.

In a tweet on Saturday, LSU President William F. Tate IV said Avant-garde, 14, “performed at the highest level in the National Spelling Bee.”

Zaila Avant-garde @basketballasart performed at the highest level in the National Spelling Bee. Your academic performance reflected scholarship first! You modeled intellectual excellence. @LSU_Honors awaits. I write to offer you a full scholarship to attend LSU. Here for you! pic.twitter.com/LopV3bdeWI

— William F. Tate IV (@WFTate4) July 10, 2021