Sierra Shoemaker, Spelling Bee Contestant, Gets Second Chance After Judges' Error (VIDEO)

Girl Corrects Spelling Bee Judges

Spelling savvy runs in Sierra Shoemaker's family -- the 12-year-old's mom competed in spelling bees as a girl, according to Fox News. But Friday's bee at Sierra's California school district almost put the youngster out of the running this year, all due to a judging gaffe.

As KMPH reports, when Sierra spelled "braille," she knew she had it right. The judges, however, claimed the word only had one "l" in it because that incorrect spelling appeared on their answer sheet at the Selma School District spelling bee.

Sierra said even the audience caught the error, but she knew better than to make a stink about it in competition, even if it meant elimination.

"I didn't want to say anything, because... if the word master tells you [that] you got a word wrong, you don't really argue with him," Sierra told KMPH.

Fortunately, the school community got behind her. ABC News reports that an initial appeal on Sierra's behalf was rejected by the county, but her school "appealed the appeal" and won.

Sierra will compete at the 2013 Fresno County Spelling Bee, which takes place March 21.

Before You Go

Lori Ann Madison

2012 Scripps National Spelling Bee

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