State spelling bee organizers had to scramble Friday afternoon to change word lists and books after an online leak earlier in the week.
Paige Kimble, director of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, said the change of lists before the competition on Saturday was precautionary.
“We have no indication that any students even knew about this,” Kimble said.
Last week, Scripps told Colorado organizers for the 70th annual Colorado State Spelling Bee, sponsored by the Denver Post, that the lists for the test had to be changed because word lists from another state spelling bee, held earlier this year, had been posted on line.
By Saturday, the lists had been changed and the outcome of the competition was not affected.
The state spelling bees are qualifiers for the Scripps National Spelling Bee, which will be held June 2-4 in Washington, D.C.
Colorado will be represented by Brian King, a 13-year-old eighth grader from Colorado Connection Academy. He correctly spelled “traumatropism” in the 17th round to beat 35 other competitors.
