The 26th Scripps National Spelling Bee was held in
Washington,
District of Columbia on May 21, 1953, sponsored by the
E.W. Scripps Company.
The winner was 13-year-old Elizabeth Hess of
Arizona, correctly spelling the word ''soubrette''.
[(22 May 1953)]
Lizzie Lost Her Concinnity But Soubrette Spells Victory
''Milwaukee Sentinel'' ( Associated Press) 11-year-old
Raymond A. Sokolov of
Detroit, Michigan placed second, falling on "spermaceti", after finishing 22nd the prior year.
Third place went to 13-year-old David Hudson of
Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, who had placed sixth the prior year.
There were 53 contestants this year, 37 girls and 16 boys. Four were returning spellers, and the youngest speller this year was 11.
[(21 May 1953)]
Spelling Bee Under Way
''San Mateo Times'' 541 words were used. The contest started at 8:45 am and continued until 5:40pm except for a lunch break and brief recesses.
[(20 June 1953)]
"Soubrette" Takes Catholic Student To Victory In National Spelling Bee
, ''The Bulletin'' (Augusta, Georgia)[(21 May 1953)]
Kids Line Up To Do Battle With Webster
''Eugene Register-Guard'' ( Associated Press)[(22 May 1953)]
Lubbock Girl Vows To Try Again
''Lubbock Evening Journal'' ("The bee was held in the auditorium of the Department of Commerce Building. Among the 541 words called ... Contestants began spelling at 8:45 a.m. and continued, except for a lunch hour and brief rests, until 5:40 p.m.")
As of 2018, Hess is the only speller from Arizona to have ever won the Bee.
[Cordova, Gilbert (25 March 2016)]
Scottsdale speller nails the word 'recumbent', heads to Scripps National Spelling Bee
Azcentral.com, Cronkite News
References
Scripps National Spelling Bee competitions
1953 awards
1953 in Washington (state)
May 1953 events in the United States
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