01 June,2012 06:07 AM IST | | Agencies
A 6-year-old girl became the youngest participant ever to compete in the preliminary round of the Scripps National Spelling Bee on Wednesday, getting off to a successful start by spelling dirigible.
Thinking hard: Lori Anne Madison faced her first word in the competition on Wednesday, correctly spelling dirigible with ease. Pic/AFP
Lori Anne Madison (6) of Woodbridge, Virginia, is the youngest contestant to qualify for the spelling bee, according to the Scripps website. u00a0She is among 278 competitors, including u00a0three finalists from last year.
However, the young participant failed to make it to the semi-finals of the competition. At her next turn in front of the microphone, she was given the word ingluvies, a term for a digestive pouch on insects and birds. It''s a word obscure enough that spell-check doesn't recognise it.
Lori Anne's fatal mistake: She started it with an 'e.' u00a0But, as she slumped backstage, her older competitors greeted her with high-fives and slaps on the back.
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