26th Scripps National Spelling Bee

The 26th Scripps National Spelling Bee was held in Washington, District of Columbia on May 21, 1953, sponsored by the E.W. Scripps Company.

26th Scripps National Spelling Bee
{
Department of Commerce auditorium
DateMay 21, 1953
LocationDepartment of Commerce auditorium, Washington, D.C.
WinnerElizabeth Hess
Age13
ResidenceArizona
SponsorArizona Republic
Sponsor locationPhoenix, Arizona
Winning wordsoubrette
No. of contestants53
PronouncerBenson S. Alleman
Preceded by25th Scripps National Spelling Bee
Followed by27th Scripps National Spelling Bee

The winner was 13-year-old Elizabeth Hess of Arizona, correctly spelling the word soubrette.[1] 11-year-old Raymond A. Sokolov of Detroit, Michigan placed second, falling on "spermaceti", after finishing 22nd the prior year.[1] Third place went to 13-year-old David Hudson of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, who had placed sixth the prior year.[1]

There were 53 contestants this year, 37 girls and 16 boys. Four were returning spellers, and the youngest speller this year was 11.[2] 541 words were used. The contest started at 8:45 am and continued until 5:40pm except for a lunch break and brief recesses.[3][4][5]

As of 2018, Hess is the only speller from Arizona to have ever won the Bee.[6]

References
  1. (22 May 1953). Lizzie Lost Her Concinnity But Soubrette Spells Victory, Milwaukee Sentinel (Associated Press)
  2. (21 May 1953). Spelling Bee Under Way, San Mateo Times
  3. (20 June 1953). "Soubrette" Takes Catholic Student To Victory In National Spelling Bee Archived 2015-06-13 at the Wayback Machine, The Bulletin (Augusta, Georgia)
  4. (21 May 1953). Kids Line Up To Do Battle With Webster, Eugene Register-Guard (Associated Press)
  5. (22 May 1953). Lubbock Girl Vows To Try Again, Lubbock Evening Journal ("The bee was held in the auditorium of the Department of Commerce Building. Among the 541 words called ... Contestants began spelling at 8:45 a.m. and continued, except for a lunch hour and brief rests, until 5:40 p.m.")
  6. Cordova, Gilbert (25 March 2016). Scottsdale speller nails the word 'recumbent', heads to Scripps National Spelling Bee, Azcentral.com, Cronkite News


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