By Faith Karimi, CNN
(CNN) -- When Lori Anne Madison, 6, takes the stage Wednesday, she will be stepping into history as the youngest person to compete in the National Spelling Bee.
The second-grader joins 277 other contestants, marking a milestone as the youngest competitor in the Scripps National Spelling Bee, according to the event's record books dating to 1993.
Since 1993, there have been four spellers who were 8 years old, said Mike Hickerson, the bee's communications manager.
Lori Anne beat out 21 kids in the regional bee in Prince William County in Virginia, earning a spot in the national bee.