PLANO, Texas — Nothing highlights student achievement like a school trophy case — except, perhaps, a banner hanging high above it. At Rice Middle School in Plano, that banner carries one name: Faizan Zaki, Scripps National Spelling Bee Champion .

“Faizan is a superstar locally and now nationally,” said Kevin Moore, Director for Advanced Academics for Plano ISD.

“Yeah, it’s a lot of attention around here,” Faizan added, though he admits, “I’m glad it’s dying down, though.”

His win came with a storyline. Last year’s national runner-up, Faizan stumbled late in the competition — “a rushed misspelling,” the moment he called a “plot twist.” But he recovered, redeemed himself, and delivered a championship performance that literally knocked him off his feet. He fell to the floor the moment he

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