What a post-championship whirlwind it's been for the spelling bee champ! Two weeks ago, Zaila Avant-garde claimed the Scripps National Spelling Bee Championship, making history in the process as the first African American winner. "I just generally remember being super happy, I was just really elated. I couldn't quite believe it," Avant-garde said.Avant-garde's historic win generated a wave of worldwide support, and it's certainly been a busy two-week victory lap."A really hectic flying around to different places, and there's been so many people asking for interviews, it's been so overwhelming but it's been pretty fun," she said.From network appearances on the "Today" show, and the ESPYs, this impressive 14-year-old now has a global following. "Like walking around and so many people recognizing me, and their happiness to see me," she said. "Also getting to talk to Malala, if I didn't mention that, was super cool to me."A festive homecoming parade in Harvey also drew hundreds of supporters."The parade was really fun. It was a bit awkward as I was asked to dance a second line. Because I'm a bit awkward about dancing and stuff. But it was really fun and stuff, just being there and seeing the Zulus, and their big costumes and stuff. I did not expect it to be such a big affair."And with the championship now in the bag, Avant-garde can focus once again on her basketball skills, something that helped her prepare for the Scripps competition."The mental ability it kinda takes to be able to control all those different balls and stuff, like really helped with like the mind part of spelling and stuff. Which I guess is the whole part of spelling, like the whole part of spelling is the mind. But I definitely think that played a big part in it."Avant-garde will also resume basketball practice with her New Orleans AAU team this week.
What a post-championship whirlwind it's been for the spelling bee champ!
Two weeks ago, Zaila Avant-garde claimed the Scripps National Spelling Bee Championship, making history in the process as the first African American winner.
"I just generally remember being super happy, I was just really elated. I couldn't quite believe it," Avant-garde said.
Avant-garde's historic win generated a wave of worldwide support, and it's certainly been a busy two-week victory lap.
"A really hectic flying around to different places, and there's been so many people asking for interviews, it's been so overwhelming but it's been pretty fun," she said.
From network appearances on the "Today" show, and the ESPYs, this impressive 14-year-old now has a global following.
"Like walking around and so many people recognizing me, and their happiness to see me," she said. "Also getting to talk to Malala, if I didn't mention that, was super cool to me."
A festive homecoming parade in Harvey also drew hundreds of supporters.
"The parade was really fun. It was a bit awkward as I was asked to dance a second line. Because I'm a bit awkward about dancing and stuff. But it was really fun and stuff, just being there and seeing the Zulus, and their big costumes and stuff. I did not expect it to be such a big affair."
And with the championship now in the bag, Avant-garde can focus once again on her basketball skills, something that helped her prepare for the Scripps competition.
"The mental ability it kinda takes to be able to control all those different balls and stuff, like really helped with like the mind part of spelling and stuff. Which I guess is the whole part of spelling, like the whole part of spelling is the mind. But I definitely think that played a big part in it."
Avant-garde will also resume basketball practice with her New Orleans AAU team this week.
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