25th Scripps National Spelling Bee
25th Scripps National Spelling Bee | |
---|---|
Date | May 22, 1952 |
Location | Department of Commerce auditorium, Washington, D.C. |
Winner | Doris Ann Hall |
Age | 13 |
Residence | Hudson, North Carolina |
Sponsor | Winston-Salem Journal |
Sponsor location | Winston-Salem, North Carolina |
Winning word | vignette |
No. of contestants | 51[1] |
Pronouncer | Benson S. Alleman |
Preceded by | 24th Scripps National Spelling Bee |
Followed by | 26th Scripps National Spelling Bee |
The 25th Scripps National Spelling Bee was held in Washington, District of Columbia on May 22, 1952, sponsored by the E.W. Scripps Company.
Competition
[edit]The winner was Doris Ann Hall, 13, of Hudson, North Carolina, correctly spelling the word vignette.[2] Second place fell to Majorie Follart, 13, of Crafton, Pennsylvania, who failed to correctly spell "farraginous", followed by Mary Ellen Rusk, age 12, of Washington in third place.[2] Follart, a return speller, could also spell any word in reverse.[1] Hall had also been in the prior year spelling bee, but had missed spelling the word "condign".[3]
505 words were used in the competition.[4]
There were 51 contestants this year, 31 girls and 20 boys, ranging in age from 10 to 14.[1]
Benson S. Alleman was pronouncer.[5] The first prize was $500 in cash (plus a loving cup and a plaque for the winner's school), and an appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show. Second place received $300, and third $100; the lowest prize to any contestant was $40.[1]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d (22 May 1952). Spelling Bee Listed Today: Winner of National Event Will Get $500, Appear on Television, Reading Eagle (Associated Press)
- ^ a b (23 May 1952). Girl, 13, Wins Spelling Bee on 'Vignette', Chicago Tribune (Associated Press)
- ^ (5 June 1952). "Vignette" Makes North Carolina Girl A Champion, Duplin Times
- ^ (21 May 1953). Kids Line Up To Do Battle With Webster, Eugene Register-Guard (Associated Press)
- ^ Edson, Arthur (22 May 1952). Spelling Bee Pronouncer Amazed at Kids' Ability, St. Petersburg Times