Lori Anne Madison, Age 6, Heads To National Spelling Bee [UPDATED]

Lori Anne Madison is one smart cookie. At the age of six, the Virginia native won the 34th Prince William County Spelling Bee and will now go on to the Scripps-Howard National Spelling Bee, reports Fox News.

Lori Anne bested 21 other elementary and middle school spelling champs -- all of whom were older than her -- on Friday March 9th by correctly spelling the word “vaquero” (the Spanish translation of cowboy). Some children might have been intimidated by competing against spellers over twice their age, but Madison seemed unfazed. “I was confident because I have been in spelling bees with older kids before and I judge them by who they are, not about age,” she said. Wise words from someone who’s still four years away from double-digits.

But the miniature champion’s spelling prowess didn’t develop overnight. Her parents, Alex and Sorina Madison, have played a huge role in her education -- they home-school her. Instead of being pageant parents or “Dance Moms” the Madisons became Spelling Bee Parents, and helped Lori Anne practice her spelling skills continuously before the competition, including the word that she won with. “We practiced that word several times because she kept getting it wrong,” her mother told InsideNOVA.com. “We really insisted on that word so I knew for sure she would nail it.”

Mommyish writer Koa Beck points out that Lori Anne’s awesome win should be celebrated for more reasons than her young age:

Acknowledging the awesome accomplishment of this little champion is not only called for given her merit. But Lori’s big win also shows your little girl that you don’t need to be a Kardashian to end up with some notoriety and a moment in the spotlight.

For now, Lori Anne seems content to revel in the feeling of a job well done. As she told a Fox News affiliate, “It’s hard to put into words really ... but at least I felt great.” (That's G-R-E-A-T, great.)

UPDATE: CNN.com reports that Madison is now the youngest speller eligible to participate in the Scripps National Spelling Bee ever.

WATCH: Interview With Lori Anne Madison

Comments

[jreeves1425]

08:34 AM on 05/31/2012

These kids aren't just using memory to spell these words. When a kid asks for definition and origin of a word, they are using critical thinking skills. I don't know why the ADULTS on here are criticizing this. J-E-A-L-O-U-S-Y. Jealousy. You know the definition.

[toosmartbihalf]

04:53 AM on 03/23/2012

Listening to this child she sounds like a robot.

[kutcher balzov]

12:48 AM on 03/17/2012

I've got 2 words for this:

child abuse

:P

[Patti Barrett]

12:40 PM on 03/16/2012

Good luck, Lori Ann!

[TrinidaddeGuerreros]

12:01 PM on 03/16/2012

I wish the media would quit equating spelling ability to being "smart cookies". I think most of the world has caught on, but when I see reports on spelling bees the same labels are issued. As admitted, the parents are "Spelling Bee Parents". I'm sure this has given this lovely little girl wonderful opportunities, but let's not make more of it than it is. A great eidetic memory is really all a person needs to be good at spelling, and in these days of spell check that on its own isn't such a big deal. However, I do admire the little girl for having great presence and ability to stay calm under pressure. Wonderful job!

[clarkaar]

11:32 AM on 03/16/2012

Why are we putting the Kardashians as a value system in the realm of competition? That's like saying, Idk, some new member of discussion on CBS/CNN/FOX/Discovery/PBS/Daily Show/Football Player that wasn't known and hit the airwaves deserves to be compared to a debutante based on the perceived sex... but wait lets make them age 6 and have them be a shrining example of possible envy that stems from MEEE, an older person that has paid enough attention to pop culture to make this comparison! Yayyyy for juxtaposing an action by a person who you don't have any idea who they are with a persona created in part due to excessive televised creations of a celebrity.

[Janenotdoe]

09:15 AM on 03/16/2012

Saw Lori on the news--- what an adorable (& MATURE) 6 year old ~
YAY and way 2 go, Lori!!! Keep on making Virginia proud, sweetie!

[destin023]

09:02 AM on 03/16/2012

Great job Lori, you gotta have courage & presence of mind to stand before a crowd & compete with your mind filled with the unknown of what will be asked of you. I remember competing in a spelling be & purposely missing the word "compel" to get the heck off the stage, I had terrible stagefright as a kid.

Kids today are in command almost to a fault of who they want to be..

[bccpn]

07:32 AM on 03/16/2012

Good job Lori.

[Adam Bicksler]

04:38 AM on 03/16/2012

I find it very odd that a Spanish word was given. Not a word a derived from the Spanish, but literally a Spanish word. I thought words valid for a spelling bee had to be administered in the national language? I can't use vaquero in Scrabble...

[idontcare761]

08:58 AM on 03/16/2012

English is recognized as our first language , but the United States has Never had an Official language. Surprised me too , since I thought English was our Official language.

[kimmysaid]

01:14 AM on 03/16/2012

you'd think she'd be smart enough to go on fox news.

[bahkey]

02:08 PM on 03/15/2012

They practiced the same word several times because she "kept getting it wrong".
Spelling is the one thing you become great at while home schooled. Now how is she doing at
Calculus,Chemistry,World History? Will her parents be up to par for those courses?

[Doug Dougie Jaeger]

06:41 AM on 03/16/2012

I know several families in Prince William County where this little girl is from and where I reside, that are home schooled.

Four kids are currently in college, with one getting her masters, one applying to medical school and the other two are in their first 2 years of college.

Yeah, I think parents can be up to par for those courses and if not they usually have a strong network of friends and other teachers that step in to help.

All ten kids are socially active with other kids and adults, play club sports and are well behaved while still being kids and having normal kid fun. I'm so glad that there are so many "progressive, open minded" people judging those who see the public school as failing on so many levels.

[kevinbr38]

07:52 AM on 03/15/2012

Good for her. I'd be lost without the spell check on my laptop.

[RButler]

05:23 AM on 03/15/2012

Do the 'losers' at spelling bees get a Dan Quayle awarde?

[Koiquoe]

07:29 AM on 03/15/2012

I don't think so. That would be a marked insult to their ability. They are still waaaaaay smarter than Quayle.

[yoakaholic]

01:14 PM on 03/16/2012

I bet Dan knew how many states there are in the union. Obama didn't. Which just goes to show, anyone can make a mistake, but if you are a democrat, its OK. If you are a Republican, the world will never let you forget it.

[iLdoRight]

05:02 AM on 03/15/2012

I have respect and appreciation for children who appreciate their ability to learn and who try to do it well, but I will have no appreciation for spelling bees until the bring them into a more fair modern world with all contestants attempting each word on a devise that post their spelling all the same time on a screen for all to see till there is only one left who has spelled all word correctly.

[KIVPossum]

05:04 AM on 03/15/2012

Good suggestion....let them spell the same words.

[RButler]

05:21 AM on 03/15/2012

Yeah. Like the final 'answer' in Jeopardy. I don't know what is so special about having to say it out loud just because they always have.