Zaila Avant-garde is already attracting the attention of colleges!
According to The Advocate, Southern University is now the third Louisiana school to offer the National Spelling Bee champion a full-ride scholarship.
The Historically Black College and University’s (HBCU’s) president-chancellor, Ray L. Belton, shared the news via Twitter and announced that along with the scholarship, the Louisiana native would receive her very own day at the school.
I am pleased to announce that @Southernu_BR is offering #ZailaAvantgarde a full scholarship and "#Zaila Day" at SU, part of the nation’s only #HBCU system. Our student leaders, faculty, and alumni look forward meeting with you. We welcome you to the #JaguarNation! #WeAreSouthern pic.twitter.com/4eeSI457yr
— Ray L. Belton, Ph.D. (@DrRayBelton) July 10, 2021
“Our student leaders, faculty, and alumni look forward to meeting with you,” said Belton. “We welcome you to the #JaguarNation!”
A spokesman for Southern University further clarified the news via email.
“The university will work to schedule a personalized ‘Zaila Day’ on campus, where Zaila can meet with student leaders, faculty, alumni, and more!,” read the email.
On Thursday night, Avant-garde became the first African American woman to win the Scripps National Spelling bee when she spelled her final word, “Murraya” correctly.
After her historic win, social media went into a frenzy when it was also revealed that she’s a basketball prodigy. The 14-year-old holds three Guinness World Records for basketball which she says is her true passion.
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Avant-garde walked away with the $50,000 cash prize and now the preteen is raking in the dough to attend school in the future.
Along with Southern University, Avant-garde has received offers from Lousiana State University (LSU) and the Lousiana Community and Technical College System.
On Friday, the Louisiana Technical College System became the first school to offer Zaila a full scholarship to attend any community and technical college within the state of Louisiana.
Then on Saturday, LSU’s new president, William Tate offered the spelling bee champ a full-ride scholarship and welcomed her to the LSU Roger Hadfield Ogden Honors College.
Previously, Avant-garde said that she was interested in attending Harvard University. Now, it looks like only time will tell with all of the new offers rolling in.
