national bee
national bee
F ast facts
Fast facts on this week’s Scripps Howard National Spelling Bee in Washington,D.C.:
288 spellers, the most in the event’s history, are competing.
There are 135 boys and 153 girls competing.
Ages range from two 8-year-olds to two 15-year-olds.
Hannah Stang Gerdes of Hubbard, speller number 211, is The Vindicator’s entrant.
The Louisville Courier-Journal started the event with nine contestants in 1925. Scripps assumed sponsorship in 1941.
There were no events during the World War II years of 1943, 1944 and 1945.
Co-champions were declared in 1950, 1957 and 1962.
Of the 83 champions, 43 have been girls and 40 have been boys.
Among the competitors are two spellers who have been to the national event five times. Four have competed in four national events, 11 have been in three and 40 are back for a second time.
The champion will receive $35,000 in cash prizes, a $2,500 U.S. Savings Bond, a complete reference library and additional reference works.
Source: Scripps National Spelling Bee