28th Scripps National Spelling Bee

28th Scripps National Spelling Bee

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Date May 19, 1955
Location Department of Commerce auditorium, Washington, D.C.
Winner Sandra Sloss
Age 13
Residence Granite City, Illinois
Sponsor St. Louis Globe-Democrat
Sponsor location St. Louis, Missouri
Winning word crustaceology
No. of contestants 62
Pronouncer Benson S. Alleman
Preceded by 27th Scripps National Spelling Bee
Followed by 29th Scripps National Spelling Bee

The 28th Scripps National Spelling Bee was held in Washington, District of Columbia on May 19, 1955, with the final rounds at the Department of Commerce auditorium, and was sponsored by the E.W. Scripps Company.[1]

The winner was 13-year-old Sandra Sloss of Granite City, Illinois, correctly spelling the word crustaceology.[2] Jean Copeland of Prescott, Arizona placed second.[3][4] Naomi Klein, 12, of Brooklyn, New York, placed third after missing "quincunx". Last year's runnerup, William Kelley of Kennett, Missouri, placed fourth.[5]

There were 62 contestants in the 1955 bee, 37 girls and 25 boys, ages 11-14.[6] Three contestants were black, noted to be a new record at the time.[7][5]

The first place prize was $500, the last year before the grand prize was doubled to $1000. Second place received $300, and third $100.[8][5] The next 20 received $50 each, and the remaining 39 received $40.[6]

References

  1. ↑ Sandler, Gilbert (14 June 1994). All the way to M-E-E-R-S-C-H-A-U-M, Baltimore Sun
  2. ↑ (21 May 1955). Champ Meets Ike, Spells Word That Stumped Him, Jamestown Post Journal (Associated Press)
  3. ↑ (21 May 1955). Spelling Bee Champ Visits Eisenhower, Lewiston Daily News (Associated Press)
  4. ↑ (18 April 1955). Junior High Pupil Wins Capital Trip, Prescott Evening Courier
  5. 1 2 3 (20 May 1955). 'Crustaceology' Wins National Spelling Bee, Wilmington Morning Star
  6. 1 2 (19 May 1955). Young Spellers Hard to "Toss", Spokane Daily Chronicle
  7. ↑ (19 May 1955). 19 Students Eliminated From Spelling Bee Field, The Miami News (Associated Press)
  8. ↑ (19 May 1955). Girl Holding Trophy and Plaque, gettyimages.com


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