15th Scripps National Spelling Bee

Last updated
15th National Spelling Bee
New national museum of natural history.tif
DateMay 29, 1939
Location National Museum in Washington, D.C.
WinnerElizabeth Ann Rice
Age12
Residence Auburn, Massachusetts
Sponsor Worcester Telegram & Gazette
Sponsor location Worcester, Massachusetts
Winning wordcanonical
No. of contestants21
PronouncerHarold F. Harding and George F. Hussey, Jr. [1]
Preceded by 14th Scripps National Spelling Bee
Followed by 16th Scripps National Spelling Bee

The 15th National Spelling Bee was held in Washington, D.C., on May 29, 1939. Scripps-Howard would not sponsor the Bee until two years later.

The winner was 12-year-old Elizabeth Ann Rice of Auburn, Massachusetts and sponsored by the Worcester Telegram & Gazette , correctly spelling the word canonical. Humphrey Cook, age 13 of Virginia, took second after misspelling homogeneity. 14-year-old Mildred Kariher of Ohio took third after missing farcial[ sic ]. [2]

There were 21 contestants this year, all in the fifth through eight grades, with the westernmost entrant from Colorado. [1]

A banquet was held the night before the Bee at the Ambassador Hotel. The winner of the first bee in 1925, Frank Neuhauser, now a law student, was in attendance. [1]

The first place prize was $500, second was $300, and third was $100. Fourth through 16th place received $50, and 17th through 21st received $40. [1] Winner Rice (married name Riza) later worked as an office manager and business manager until retiring in 1996. She took up running in her 50s and ran the Boston Marathon three times. She died in Worcester, Massachusetts on April 18, 2012. [3]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scripps National Spelling Bee</span> Annual spelling bee held in the United States of America

The Scripps National Spelling Bee, formerly the Scripps Howard National Spelling Bee and often referred to as the National Spelling Bee or simply “the Spelling Bee” in the United States, is an annual spelling bee held in the United States. The bee is run on a not-for-profit basis by The E. W. Scripps Company and is held at a hotel or convention center in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area during the week following Memorial Day weekend. Since 2011, it has been held at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center hotel in National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Maryland, just outside Washington D.C. It was previously held at the Grand Hyatt Washington in Washington D.C. from 1996 to 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">3rd Scripps National Spelling Bee</span> Spelling bee held in the United States in 1927

The 3rd National Spelling Bee was held at the National Museum in Washington, D.C. on June 23, 1927, hosted by the Louisville Courier-Journal. Scripps-Howard would not sponsor the Bee until 1941.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">4th Scripps National Spelling Bee</span> Spelling bee held in the United States in 1928

The 4th National Spelling Bee was held at the National Museum in Washington, D.C., on May 23, 1928, hosted by the Louisville Courier-Journal. Scripps-Howard would not sponsor the Bee until 1941.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">6th Scripps National Spelling Bee</span> Spelling bee held at the National Museum, Washington, D.C. in 1930

The 6th National Spelling Bee was held at the National Museum in Washington, D.C., on May 27, 1930. Scripps-Howard would not sponsor the Bee until 1941.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">7th Scripps National Spelling Bee</span> Spelling bee held in the United States in 1931

The 7th National Spelling Bee was held at the National Museum in Washington, D.C., on May 27, 1931. Scripps-Howard would not sponsor the Bee until 1941.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">8th Scripps National Spelling Bee</span> Spelling bee held in the United States in 1932

The 8th National Spelling Bee was held at the National Museum in Washington, D.C. on June 7, 1932, sponsored by the Louisville Courier-Journal. Scripps-Howard would not sponsor the Bee until 1941.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">12th Scripps National Spelling Bee</span> Spelling bee held in the United States in 1936

The 12th National Spelling Bee was held in Washington, D.C., on May 26, 1936, at the National Museum. Scripps-Howard did not sponsor the Bee until 1941.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">13th Scripps National Spelling Bee</span> Spelling bee held in the United States in 1937

The 13th National Spelling Bee was held in Washington, D.C. at the National Museum on May 25, 1937, and sponsored by the Louisville, Kentucky Courier-Journal. Scripps-Howard would not sponsor the Bee until 1941.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">16th Scripps National Spelling Bee</span> Spelling bee held in the United States in 1940

The 16th National Spelling Bee was held in Washington, D.C., on May 28, 1940. Scripps-Howard would not sponsor the Bee until the next year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">24th Scripps National Spelling Bee</span> Spelling bee held in the United States in 1951

The 24th Scripps National Spelling Bee was held in Washington, District of Columbia on May 25, 1951, sponsored by the E.W. Scripps Company, at the National Press Club.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">25th Scripps National Spelling Bee</span> Spelling bee held in the United States in 1952

The 25th Scripps National Spelling Bee was held in Washington, District of Columbia on May 22, 1952, sponsored by the E.W. Scripps Company.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">29th Scripps National Spelling Bee</span> Spelling bee held in the United States in 1956

The 29th Scripps National Spelling Bee was held at the Department of Commerce auditorium in Washington, District of Columbia on May 17, 1956, sponsored by the E.W. Scripps Company.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">46th Scripps National Spelling Bee</span> Spelling bee held in the United States in 1973

The 46th Scripps National Spelling Bee was held in Washington, D.C. at the Mayflower Hotel on June 13–14, 1973, sponsored by the E.W. Scripps Company.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">50th Scripps National Spelling Bee</span> Spelling bee held in the United States in 1977

The 50th Scripps National Spelling Bee was held in Washington, D.C. at the Mayflower Hotel on June 8–9, 1977 sponsored by the E.W. Scripps Company.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">58th Scripps National Spelling Bee</span> Spelling bee held in the United States in 1985

The 58th Scripps National Spelling Bee was held in Washington, D.C. at the Capital Hilton on June 5–6, 1985, sponsored by the E.W. Scripps Company.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">59th Scripps National Spelling Bee</span> Spelling bee held in the United States in 1986

The 59th Scripps National Spelling Bee was held in Washington, D.C. at the Capital Hilton on May 28–29, 1986, sponsored by the E.W. Scripps Company.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">60th Scripps National Spelling Bee</span> Spelling bee held in the United States in 1987

The 60th Scripps National Spelling Bee was held in Washington, D.C. at the Capital Hilton on May 27–28, 1987, sponsored by the E.W. Scripps Company.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">61st Scripps National Spelling Bee</span> Spelling bee held in the United States in 1988

The 61st Scripps National Spelling Bee was held in Washington, D.C. at the Capital Hilton on June 1–2, 1988, sponsored by the E.W. Scripps Company.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">64th Scripps National Spelling Bee</span> Spelling bee held in the United States in 1991

The 64th Scripps National Spelling Bee was held in Washington, D.C. at the Capital Hilton on May 29–30, 1991, sponsored by the E.W. Scripps Company.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">65th Scripps National Spelling Bee</span> Spelling bee held in the United States in 1992

The 65th Scripps National Spelling Bee was held in Washington, D.C. at the Capital Hilton on May 27–28, 1992, sponsored by the E.W. Scripps Company.

References