3rd Scripps National Spelling Bee

The 3rd National Spelling Bee was held at the National Museum in Washington, D.C. on June 23, 1927, hosted by the Louisville Courier-Journal. Scripps-Howard would not sponsor the Bee until 1941.

3rd National Spelling Bee
{
DateJune 23, 1927
LocationNational Museum, Washington, D.C.
WinnerDean Lucas
Age13
ResidenceWest Salem, Ohio
SponsorAkron Beacon Journal
Sponsor locationAkron, Ohio
No. of contestants17[1]
PronouncerGeorge S. Wills[2]
Preceded by2nd Scripps National Spelling Bee
Followed by4th Scripps National Spelling Bee

The winner was 13-year-old Dean Lucas of West Salem, Ohio (some sources say nearby Congress, Ohio, where he attended school), with the word abrogate.[3] Ralph Keenan, 13, of Waukon, Iowa placed second (misspelling "abrogate" as "abregate"), and Minerva Ressler, 12, of Lancaster, Pennsylvania was third.[1][4][5] It was Lucas' second appearance at the bee.[6]

There were 17 contestants this year, 13 girls and 4 boys, between ages 10 and 15, and the bee lasted three hours.[1] The first place prize was $1000, with $500 for second, and $250 for third.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d (24 June 1927). Ohio Boy Wins Spelling Bee At Washington, The Miami News
  2. ^ (17 May 1953). Spelling Bee Still Growing - Professor Recalls Opening Contest, Eugene Register-Guard (Associated Press)
  3. ^ Dyer, Bob (27 May 2017). Spelling bee misspells its own history, Akron Beacon Journal
  4. ^ (6 July 1927). Words, Miami News (noting that Lucas hailed from Wayne County, Ohio)
  5. ^ (15 July 1927). "Abrogate", Milwaukee Sentinel
  6. ^ (19 July 1927). At Night He Studied Just Spelling(?), Emporia Gazette (subscription required)