When Lori Anne Madison, 6, takes the stage Wednesday, she will be stepping into history as the youngest person to compete in the National Spelling Bee.
The second-grader joins 277 other contestants, marking a milestone as the youngest competitor in the Scripps National Spelling Bee, according to the event's record books dating to 1993.
Since 1993, there have been four spellers who were 8 years old, said Mike Hickerson, the bee's communications manager.
Lori Anne beat out 21 kids in the regional bee in Prince William County in Virginia, earning a spot in the national bee.
She won by spelling the word "vaquero," the Spanish translation of "cowboy" often used in parts of the South.
While she loves spelling, Lori Anne has other interests as well.
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Clone her and replicate her genetics. In a land of retrogressive evolution, where the average American has less brainpower than the previous generation, this is a bright spot in an otherwise dreary landscape.
All together now:Awww!As a life-long lover of words,and a former spelling-bee contestant myself,I am tickled pink at the idea of this tiny wordsmith competing in this tournament;her parents must be bursting with pride!I don't know how far the little one will get,but I'll be cheering her on all the way!!