10th Scripps National Spelling Bee

The 10th Scripps National Spelling Bee was held in Washington, D.C. in 1934.

The winner was 12-year old Sarah Wilson of Maine, sponsored by the Portland Evening Telegram, correctly spelling the word brethren. She had also competed in the finals the prior year. James Wilson, age 13, of Canton, Illinois placed second after misspelling deteriorating, followed by Helen Sullivan, age 13, of Connecticut.^[1][2][3]

The prizes for the top three were $500, $300, and $100. The bee was broadcast on the radio, and when Sarah was asked if she had a message for her father, she responded on air "You remember Daddy, you promised me another $500 if I won first place!" But she did say she wanted to use the money for college.^[3][4]

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