6-Year-Old Headed to Scripps National Spelling Bee - East Idaho News
National

6-Year-Old Headed to Scripps National Spelling Bee

  Published at

Getty 031312 SpellingBee?  SQUARESPACE CACHEVERSION=1331666496953Leonard McLane/Thinkstock(NEW YORK) — Most 6-year-olds are still learning how to read let alone master spelling, but apparently no one told that to Lori Anne Madison who, at the age of 6, is headed to one of the prestigious spelling bees in the world.

Lori Anne beat out 21 other spellers, including middle-schoolers from across Prince William County, Virginia, winning the 34th Prince William County Spelling Bee. She was the youngest one in the competition, but that didn’t intimidate her.

“I have been in competitions with older kids before and I have many friends, some younger and some older, and I feel comfortable in any group,” she told ABC News.

Lori Anne’s love of spelling started when she was three: “Some friends mentioned a small regional spelling bee, and I asked to go. Being on stage was fun. So I asked for more spelling bees since then,” she said.  ”I started reading very early and I read a lot, and that helps. Plus, I work hard and love to find new interesting words in the dictionary.”

Her victory in Virginia has earned her a coveted spot in the highly competitive Scripps National Spelling Bee, subject of the documentary Spellbound. There, she will face off against regional spelling champions from across the world for over $40,000 in cash and prizes.

If Lori Anne wins the Scripps National Spelling Bee this year she will be the youngest winner in the Bee’s history.

“I’m very excited,” she told ABC News. “I want to have fun with other kids who love spelling and learn new words. And hope to do my best.”

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

SUBMIT A CORRECTION