20th Scripps National Spelling Bee

The 20th Scripps National Spelling Bee was held in Washington, District of Columbia on May 29, 1947, sponsored by the E.W. Scripps Company.

20th Scripps National Spelling Bee
National Press Building
DateMay 29, 1947
LocationAuditorium of the National Press Building, Washington, D.C.[1]
WinnerMattie Lou Pollard
Age14
ResidenceThomaston, Georgia
SponsorAtlanta Journal
Sponsor locationAtlanta, Georgia
Winning wordchlorophyll
No. of contestants35
PronouncerHarold F. Harding[2]
Preceded by19th Scripps National Spelling Bee
Followed by21st Scripps National Spelling Bee

The winner was 14-year-old girl Mattie Lou Pollard of Thomaston, Georgia, who attended a one-room schoolhouse, correctly spelling the word chlorophyll. Pollard had placed sixth in the prior's years bee. Fourteen-year-old Sonya Rodolfo of Chicago (but a native of the Philippines) took second, and failed to spell "maggoty", followed by Suzanne Gelin of Parma, Ohio, who misspelled "sarsaparilla".[3][4] Fourth place when to Sharon Gross of Akron, Ohio, who misspelled "bellicose" in the 31st round.[5]

Pollard was the first Bee winner from Georgia. She later worked for the Department of Defense, and the National Park Service. She died in Norcross, Georgia on January 10, 2006.[6]

References
  1. (16 February 1947). City Spelling Bee Winner to Enter Washington Tilt, Brooklyn Daily Eagle
  2. (31 May 1947). Article (paywall), El Paso Herald Post ("At left is pronouncer, Dr. Harold F. Harding of Ohio State University, Awaiting her turn at right is Joan Horn of Fort Worth.")
  3. (30 May 1947). Georgia Girl Queen Bee of Spellers, St. Petersburg Times (Associated Press)
  4. (9 June 1947). Education: Spelldown, Time (magazine)
  5. (30 May 1947). Georgian Wins Spelling Bee, Sarasota Herald Tribune (Associated Press)
  6. (19 January 2006). NORCROSS: Mattie Lou Cato, 73, won national spelling bee in 1947, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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