20th Scripps National Spelling Bee

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20th Scripps National Spelling Bee
Nationalpressbuilding1.jpg
DateMay 29, 1947
LocationAuditorium of the National Press Building, Washington, D.C. [1]
WinnerMattie Lou Pollard
Age14
Residence Thomaston, Georgia
Sponsor Atlanta Journal
Sponsor location Atlanta, Georgia
Winning wordchlorophyll
No. of contestants35
PronouncerHarold F. Harding [2]
Preceded by 19th Scripps National Spelling Bee
Followed by 21st Scripps National Spelling Bee

The 20th Scripps National Spelling Bee was held in Washington, District of Columbia on May 29, 1947, sponsored by the E.W. Scripps Company.

The winner was 14-year-old girl Mattie Lou Pollard of Thomaston, Georgia, who attended a one-room schoolhouse, correctly spelling the word chlorophyll. Pollard had placed sixth in the prior's years bee. Fourteen-year-old Sonya Rodolfo of Chicago (but a native of the Philippines) took second, and failed to spell "maggoty", followed by Suzanne Gelin of Parma, Ohio, who misspelled "sarsaparilla". [3] [4] Fourth place when to Sharon Gross of Akron, Ohio, who misspelled "bellicose" in the 31st round. [5]

Pollard was the first Bee winner from Georgia. She later worked for the Department of Defense, and the National Park Service. She died in Norcross, Georgia on January 10, 2006. [6]

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4th Scripps National Spelling Bee

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17th Scripps National Spelling Bee

The 17th Scripps National Spelling Bee was held in Washington, District of Columbia on May 28, 1941. This was the first year that Scripps-Howard hosted the event.

18th Scripps National Spelling Bee

The 18th Scripps National Spelling Bee was held in Washington, District of Columbia on May 26, 1942, by the E.W. Scripps Company. There was no National Spelling Bee after this competition until 1946 due to World War II.

21st Scripps National Spelling Bee

The 21st Scripps National Spelling Bee was held in Washington, District of Columbia on May 28, 1948, hosted by the E.W. Scripps Company. The winner was 14-year old Jean Chappelear of Ohio, correctly spelling the word psychiatry.

23rd Scripps National Spelling Bee

The 23rd Scripps National Spelling Bee was held in Washington, District of Columbia on Friday, May 26, 1950, sponsored by the E.W. Scripps Company, at the National Press Club auditorium.

24th Scripps National Spelling Bee

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.

29th Scripps National Spelling Bee

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.

31st Scripps National Spelling Bee

The 31st Scripps National Spelling Bee was held in Washington, District of Columbia on June 11–12, 1958, by the E.W. Scripps Company.

44th Scripps National Spelling Bee

The 44th Scripps National Spelling Bee was held in Washington, D.C. at the Mayflower Hotel on June 9–10, 1971, sponsored by the E.W. Scripps Company.

45th Scripps National Spelling Bee

The 45th Scripps National Spelling Bee was held in Washington, D.C. at the Mayflower Hotel in June 1972, sponsored by the E.W. Scripps Company.

50th Scripps National Spelling Bee

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.

53rd Scripps National Spelling Bee

The 53rd Scripps National Spelling Bee was held in Washington, D.C. at the Capital Hilton on May 28–29, 1980, sponsored by the E.W. Scripps Company.

55th Scripps National Spelling Bee

The 55th Scripps National Spelling Bee was held in Washington, D.C. at the Capital Hilton on June 2–3, 1982, sponsored by the E.W. Scripps Company.

56th Scripps National Spelling Bee

The 56th Scripps National Spelling Bee was held in Washington, D.C. at the Capital Hilton on June 8–9, 1983, sponsored by the E.W. Scripps Company.

References

  1. (16 February 1947). City Spelling Bee Winner to Enter Washington Tilt, Brooklyn Daily Eagle
  2. (31 May 1947). Article (paywall), El Paso Herald Post ("At left is pronouncer, Dr. Harold F. Harding of Ohio State University, Awaiting her turn at right is Joan Horn of Fort Worth.")
  3. (30 May 1947). Georgia Girl Queen Bee of Spellers, St. Petersburg Times (Associated Press)
  4. (9 June 1947). Education: Spelldown, Time (magazine)
  5. (30 May 1947). Georgian Wins Spelling Bee, Sarasota Herald Tribune (Associated Press)
  6. (19 January 2006). NORCROSS: Mattie Lou Cato, 73, won national spelling bee in 1947, Atlanta Journal-Constitution