9th Scripps National Spelling Bee

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9th National Spelling Bee
New national museum of natural history.tif
DateMay 30, 1933
Location National Museum in Washington, D.C.
WinnerAlma Roach
Age12
Residence Twinsburg, Ohio
Sponsor Akron Beacon Journal
Sponsor location Akron, Ohio
Winning wordtorsion
No. of contestants16 [1]
Pronouncer Charles E. Hill and H.E. Warner [2]
Preceded by 8th Scripps National Spelling Bee
Followed by 10th Scripps National Spelling Bee

The 9th National Spelling Bee was held in Washington, D.C., on May 30, 1933, organized by the Louisville Courier-Journal . Scripps-Howard would not sponsor the Bee until 1941.

The winner was 12-year-old Alma Roach of Twinsburg, Ohio, sponsored by the Akron Beacon Journal, correctly spelling the word torsion. George Meltzer (age 14) of New Jersey placed second [3] (missing propitiatory), followed by 13-year-old Virginia Wood in third (missing holocaust). [4]

Roach won $500 for first place (a drop from the usual $1000), followed by $300 for second, and $100 for third. [4]

The event was broadcast on radio. [5]

Roach (married name Mercer) became a teacher, retiring from Solon Middle School in her hometown of Twinsburg in 1983. She died at Akron General Hospital on July 31, 2003. [6]

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">1st Scripps National Spelling Bee</span> Spelling bee held in the United States in 1925

The 1st National Spelling Bee was held in Washington, D.C., on June 17, 1925, sponsored by the Louisville Courier-Journal. Scripps-Howard did not sponsor the Bee until 1941.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2nd Scripps National Spelling Bee</span> Spelling bee held in the United States in 1926

The 2nd National Spelling Bee was held at the National Museum in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, June 17, 1926, sponsored by the Louisville Courier-Journal. Scripps-Howard would not sponsor the Bee until 1941.

<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">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">10th Scripps National Spelling Bee</span> Spelling bee held in the United States in 1934

The 10th National Spelling Bee was held at the National Museum in Washington, D.C., on May 29, 1934. Scripps-Howard would not sponsor the Bee until 1941.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">11th Scripps National Spelling Bee</span> Spelling bee held in the United States in 1935

The 11th National Spelling Bee was held in Washington, D.C. at the National Museum on May 28, 1935. 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">19th Scripps National Spelling Bee</span> Spelling bee held in the United States in 1946

The 19th Scripps National Spelling Bee was held in Washington, District of Columbia on May 24, 1946, sponsored by the E.W. Scripps Company. There had been no National Spelling Bee since 1942 due to World War II.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">20th Scripps National Spelling Bee</span> Spelling bee held in the United States in 1947

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

<span class="mw-page-title-main">21st Scripps National Spelling Bee</span> Spelling bee held in the United States in 1948

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">22nd Scripps National Spelling Bee</span> Spelling bee held in the United States in 1949

The 22nd Scripps National Spelling Bee was held in Washington, District of Columbia on Friday, May 27, 1949, at the auditorium of the National Press Building, sponsored by the E.W. Scripps Company.

<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.

The 76th Scripps National Spelling Bee was held on May 28–29, 2003, in Washington D.C.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">37th Scripps National Spelling Bee</span> Spelling bee held in the United States in 1964

The 37th Scripps National Spelling Bee was held in Washington, D.C. at the Mayflower Hotel, on June 3–4, 1964, sponsored by the E.W. Scripps Company.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">44th Scripps National Spelling Bee</span> Spelling bee held in the United States in 1971

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.

References

  1. (12 June 1933). Returning Heroine, Nevada Stage Journal, p. 5, col 7 ("Being able to spell 'propitiatory' when the other 15 best spellers in the United States couldn't ...")
  2. (25 May 1933). Can Ask for Definitions, Wilkes-Barre Record
  3. (15 October 2012). George Meltzer (obituary), The Jersey Journal
  4. 1 2 (30 May 1933). Paper's National Spelling Bee Won By Akron Girl, 12, Schenectady Gazette
  5. (28 May 1933). On WABC, Brooklyn Daily Eagle
  6. (2 August 2003). Alma R. (Roach) Mercer (obituary), Akron Beacon-Journal