28th Scripps National Spelling Bee

The 28th Scripps National Spelling Bee was held in Washington, District of Columbia on May 19, 1955, with the final rounds at the Department of Commerce auditorium, and was sponsored by the E.W. Scripps Company.[1]

28th Scripps National Spelling Bee
DateMay 19, 1955
LocationDepartment of Commerce auditorium, Washington, D.C.
WinnerSandra Sloss
Age13
ResidenceGranite City, Illinois
SponsorSt. Louis Globe-Democrat
Sponsor locationSt. Louis, Missouri
Winning wordcrustaceology
No. of contestants62
PronouncerBenson S. Alleman
Preceded by27th Scripps National Spelling Bee
Followed by29th Scripps National Spelling Bee

The winner was 13-year-old Sandra Sloss of Granite City, Illinois, correctly spelling the word crustaceology.[2] Jean Copeland of Prescott, Arizona placed second.[3][4] Naomi Klein, 12, of Brooklyn, New York, placed third after missing "quincunx". Last year's runnerup, William Kelley of Kennett, Missouri, placed fourth.[5]

There were 62 contestants in the 1955 bee, 37 girls and 25 boys, ages 11–14.[6] Three contestants were black, noted to be a new record at the time.[7][5]

The first place prize was $500, the last year before the grand prize was doubled to $1000. Second place received $300, and third $100.[8][5] The next 20 received $50 each, and the remaining 39 received $40.[6]

References
  1. Sandler, Gilbert (14 June 1994). All the way to M-E-E-R-S-C-H-A-U-M, Baltimore Sun
  2. (21 May 1955). Champ Meets Ike, Spells Word That Stumped Him, Jamestown Post Journal (Associated Press)
  3. (21 May 1955). Spelling Bee Champ Visits Eisenhower, Lewiston Daily News (Associated Press)
  4. (18 April 1955). Junior High Pupil Wins Capital Trip, Prescott Evening Courier
  5. (20 May 1955). 'Crustaceology' Wins National Spelling Bee, Wilmington Morning Star
  6. (19 May 1955). Young Spellers Hard to "Toss", Spokane Daily Chronicle
  7. (19 May 1955). 19 Students Eliminated From Spelling Bee Field, The Miami News (Associated Press)
  8. (19 May 1955). Girl Holding Trophy and Plaque, gettyimages.com


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