59th Scripps National Spelling Bee
| 59th Scripps National Spelling Bee | |
|---|---|
 The Capital Hilton, site of the 59th National Spelling Bee | |
| Date | May 28–29, 1986 |
| Location | The Capital Hilton in Washington, D.C. |
| Winner | Jon Pennington |
| Age | 14 |
| Residence | Shiremanstown, Pennsylvania |
| Sponsor | The Patriot-News |
| Sponsor location | Harrisburg, Pennsylvania |
| Winning word | odontalgia |
| No. of contestants | 174[1] |
| Pronouncer | Alex Cameron |
| Preceded by | 58th Scripps National Spelling Bee |
| Followed by | 60th Scripps National Spelling Bee |
The 59th Scripps National Spelling Bee was held in Washington, D.C. at the Capital Hilton on May 28–29, 1986, sponsored by the E.W. Scripps Company.
The winner was 14-year old Jon Pennington of Shiremanstown, Pennsylvania, correctly spelling "odontalgia."[1][2] Second place went to 13-year old Kenneth Larson of Tequesta, Florida, who missed "kaolinic." Larson was competing for the third time, having finished 111th in 1985 and 65th in 1984.[1][3]
There were 174 participants this year (100 girls and 74 boys, ages 9–14), and a total of 725 words used.[1][4][5] Nine spellers missed in the first round, 36 in the second, and 14 in the third.[6] 115 spellers made it to day two of the competition, and the final round between the last two spellers began at about 4:40pm.[7][8] Alex Cameron was the prounouncer.[8]
The first-place winner received $1000 (and other non-cash prizes). Second place got $500, and third received $250. Fourth through eight places received $100, the next ten received $75, and the remaining 156 spellers received $50 each.[8]
References
- 1 2 3 4 (30 May 1986). Jon Pennington wins national spelling bee, Bryan Times (Associated Press)
- ↑ Healy, Rita (19 May 2007). 1986: Jon Pennington, Time
- ↑ Mesce, Deborah (29 May 1986). Student spells success 'o-d-o-n-t-a-l-g-i-a', Sumter Daily Item (Associated Press)
- ↑ (29 May 1986). Fayette girl a survivor of bee's 5th round, Pittsburgh Press
- ↑ (29 May 1986). Area Spelling Advances Into Final Rounds of Bee, Toledo Blade
- ↑ Povich, Elaine S. (29 May 1986). Forty-three diehard champions survived today's tough fifth round of..., UPI
- ↑ Williams, Vanessa (30 May 1986). Pa. Teen's Spelling-bee Win Is Good As His Words, Philadelphia Inquirer
- 1 2 3 Povich, Elaine S. (28 May 1986). All but nine of the record 174 champion spellers..., UPI
External links
- President Reagan's remarks to finalists, May 30, 1986, from the Reagan Library
- Jon Pennington on Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, June 10, 1986