Welcome home, Rachael!

Caracole (noun): a half turn to right or left executed by a mounted horse.

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Of all the words Rachael Cundey ever spells, you can bet she never gets the word "caracole" wrong again.

As spelling bee champion for South Columbia Elementary, for Columbia County and for the region, Rachael rarely spells any word incorrectly.

Unfortunately, one of those rare times occurred Wednesday when she stumbled on the obscure "caracole" during the third round of the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C.

A one-letter error sent Rachael and her family home, but not before the rising fifth-grader enjoyed more spelling bee festivities, along with a sight-seeing tour of the nation's capital.

Rachael isn't bringing home the big prize, but she got a well-earned start to a summer vacation. And she's already thinking about a return trip to D.C. "I'm going to start studying early next year," Rachael told news editor Donnie Fetter.

Attagirl, Rachael. Welcome back; Columbia County is very proud of you!