47th Scripps National Spelling Bee
| 47th Scripps National Spelling Bee | |
|---|---|
Richard R. Baker | |
| Preceded by | 46th Scripps National Spelling Bee |
| Followed by | 48th Scripps National Spelling Bee |
The 47th
The winner was 12-year-old Julie Ann Junkin, a sixth-grader from Gordo, Alabama, spelling "hydrophyte".[1][2] Second place went to 14-year-old Gail Meier of Arlington, Tennessee (sponsored by the Memphis Press-Scimitar), who misspelled "mantelletta".[1]
Junkin was the first sixth-grade contestant to win since John Capehart won in the 1961 competition, [3] and the first winner from Alabama (and only as of 2015).[4]
There were 80 entrants in that year, sponsored by 76 newspapers. The
The field was reduced by 25 by the end of the first day of competition, where 522 words were used.[6]
A taped version of the finals, hosted by Jean Shepherd, appeared on television on PBS this year (and was done again in 1977).[7][8][9][5]
References
- ^ a b c (8 June 1974). Spelling bee winner never heard of word, Lodi News Sentinel (UPI story)
- ^ (7 June 1974). Emotional spelling, The Bulletin (photos of Julie)
- ^ (6 June 1974). Press Speller Meets Pat Nixon, Pittsburgh Press
- ^ (26 May 2001). Spell champion - twice? Another Alabamian could win National Spelling Bee, Tuscaloosa News
- ^ a b c What Do You Want to Know about the National Spelling Bee (National Spelling Bee 1974)
- ^ Watkins, Ed (June 6 1974). Gordon girl wins national spelling crown, Tuscaloosa News
- ^ History, Spellingbee.com, Retrieved 24 August 2016
- Palm Beach Post, p. B7
- ^ (29 May 1974). National bee to be televised, Star News
External links
- What do you want to know about the National Spelling Bee?, Rules and Fact sheet for 1974 Bee, via archive.org