27th Scripps National Spelling Bee
The 27th Scripps National Spelling Bee was held in Washington, District of Columbia on May 20, 1954, sponsored by the E.W. Scripps Company.
| 27th Scripps National Spelling Bee | |
|---|---|
![]() | |
| Date | May 20, 1954 |
| Location | Department of Commerce auditorium, Washington, D.C. |
| Winner | William Cashore |
| Age | 14 |
| Residence | Center Square, Pennsylvania |
| Sponsor | Norristown Times Herald |
| Sponsor location | Norristown, Pennsylvania |
| Winning word | transept |
| No. of contestants | 57 |
| Pronouncer | Benson S. Alleman |
| Preceded by | 26th Scripps National Spelling Bee |
| Followed by | 28th Scripps National Spelling Bee |
The winner was William Cashore, 14, of Center Square, Pennsylvania, correctly spelling the word transept.[1] William Kelly, 11, of Deering, Missouri, took second, and Patricia Brown, 14, of Birmingham, Alabama placed third.[1]
There were 57 contestants that year,[1] with 39 girls and 18 boys.[2] Only one speller was a repeat contestant.[3] The first place prize was $500 (plus $100 for expenses for a weekend trip to New York City and appearances on television), $300 for second, $100 for third, $20 each for the next 20 finishers, and $40 each for the remaining spellers.[4]
Benson S. Alleman was the pronouncer.[4]
References
- (21 May 1954). Uncinated, Transept, Effete, Bagatele, Bill Cashore Spelled 'Em, Won $1,500, Utica Daily Press (Associated Press)
- (21 May 1954). Spells 'Uncinated' and Hooks $500 Top Prize, Daytona Beach Morning-Journal
- (16 May 1954). World-Wise Melody Tunes Up for National Spelling Title Run, Pittsburgh Press
- (19 May 1954). North Canton's Champion Speller Now in Washington, D.C., The Sun (North Canton, Ohio)
