278 spellers competed this year, 136 boys and 142 girls. Illinois and Ohio sent the most spellers, 18 from each. Twenty spellers had a family member participate in a prior bee.[4][5] The youngest was 6-year-old Lori Ann Madison of Virginia, the youngest ever speller to qualify at that point in the Bee's history.[6][7]
Round One was a computerized spelling test taken by all contestants. Spellers had to spell 50 words, but only 25 counted toward each speller’s preliminary score. Scores from the test were combined with the results of Rounds Two and Three to determine the semifinalists. All 278 spellers were onstage during Rounds Two and Three. No one was eliminated during those rounds.[5] Immediately after the conclusion of Round Three, officials determined the semifinalists. During the semifinals, a speller was out of the competition once he or she misspells. If only one speller correctly spelled a word during a round, that speller was asked to spell another word in a new round. If that word was spelled correctly, that speller would be named champion of the spelling bee.[5]
Of the 278 spellers, 136 were boys and 142 were girls.[8] There was one six-year-old, two eight-year-olds, one nine-year-old, 13 ten-year-olds, 26 eleven-year-olds, 69 twelve-year-olds, 96 thirteen-year-olds, 67 fourteen-year-olds, and three fifteen-year-olds.[8] Six-year-old Lori Anne Madison was the youngest speller in bee history.[9] 20 spellers had at least one relative who has competed in previous national finals. 52 spellers have competed twice in competition, 14 have competed three times, four have competed four times, and two have competed five times.[8]
