Local spellers at national spelling bee

By: ABC57 Staff

Posted: May 30, 2012 6:11 AM EDT | Updated: Nov 6, 2014 12:16 AM EDT

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Two local students are competing in the Scripps National Spelling Bee.

Brett Tutton, 12, attends Grace Christian School in Watervliet and Margaret Peterson, 12, from Granger is home schooled. This is Peterson's second trip to the national spelling bee.

The annual competition features spellers from around the nation. This year's competition is getting a lot of a focus. Lori Anne Madison is the youngest competitor.

The Virginia six-year-old began reading when she was two and began competition in spelling bees a year later. She is facing off against kids twice hear age.

"I'm hoping I'll make it into the semifinals," Madison said.

The National Spelling Bee begins May 30 and can be seen on ESPN 3 at 8 a.m.EST. The semi-finals will be held Thursday, May 31 at 10 a.m. EST on ESPN 2. The finals will be held Friday, May 31 at 8 p.m. EST on ESPN.