Katharine Close
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Katharine "Kerry" Close (born August 13, 1992) was, at the age of 13, the winner of the 79th annual Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C. (held from May 31 to June 1, 2006).[1] She correctly spelled the words "kundalini" and "Ursprache" (the winning word) to become the first female to win the spelling bee since 1999. She was also the first to win the title on a prime time telecast, when the final round was aired live on the ABC network. Close received more than $40,000 in prizes from the bee. At age 13, this was her fifth and final competition in the spelling bee.
Her parents are James and Paula Close. She is from Spring Lake, New Jersey and attended H. W. Mountz School.[2] Close is currently attending High Technology High School and will graduate in 2010.[3]
Close has been a national finalist for every year from 2002 to 2006. She is one of few students to compete in the national bee every year in which they were eligible. In the 2005 Scripps competition, she tied for seventh place with Saryn Hooks, who placed third in 2006.[4] In 2004 she tied for 8th place, and in 2003 she tied for 16th.[5]
On June 5th, 2006, New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine visited H. W. Mountz School to congratulate Close for winning the bee.[6]
On June 14th, 2006, Katharine took part in the inauguration of Princess Cruises's newest ship, Crown Princess. The theme of the festivities was to celebrate the "crowning achievements" of those who took part in the inguration, including Close, Katharine McPhee, and Martha Stewart.[7]
Close was featured on the cover of New Jersey Monthly's September 2006 issue. She is one of five spellers featured in the book American Bee by James Maguire.[8]
On September 22, 2006, Katharine met President George Bush and Laura Bush at the White House in Washington, D.C.[9]
| Preceded by Anurag Kashyap |
Scripps National Spelling Bee winner 2006 |
Succeeded by Evan O'Dorney |
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Superville, Darlene. "New Jersey girl wins national spelling bee", Chicago Sun-Times, Associated Press, 2006-06-01. Retrieved on 2006-06-23.
- ^ Superville, Darlene. "13-Year-Old From New Jersey Wins National Spelling Bee: Katharine Close Is First Girl to Win Competition Since 1999", AOL, Associated Press, 2006-06-02. Retrieved on 2006-06-23.
- ^ Speller No. 147, Katharine Close. Scripps National Spelling Bee (2006). Retrieved on 2006-07-01.
- ^ "Jersey Girl Wins National Spelling Bee", ABC News, 2006-06-02. Retrieved on 2006-06-20.
- ^ Speller No. 146, Katharine Close. Scripps National Spelling Bee (2005). Retrieved on 2006-06-23.
- ^ Governor Corzine visits national spelling bee champ Katharine Close. Office of the Governor (2006). Retrieved on 2007-02-27.
- ^ "USA. Crown Princess to celebrate with Katharine McPhee, Katharine Close & Christener Martha Stewart", Cruising News. Retrieved on 2007-02-27.
- ^ American Bee. American Bee (2006).
- ^ "The Morning Grind", CNN.com. Retrieved on 2007-02-28.
