The 60th
Scripps National Spelling Bee
The Scripps National Spelling Bee (formerly the Scripps Howard National Spelling Bee and commonly called the National Spelling Bee) is an annual spelling bee held in the United States. The bee is run on a not-for-profit basis by The E. W. Scri ...
was held in
Washington, D.C.
)
, image_skyline =
, image_caption = Clockwise from top left: the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall, United States Capitol, Logan Circle, Jefferson Memorial, White House, Adams Morgan, ...
at the
Capital Hilton
The Capital Hilton, originally named the Hotel Statler, is a historic hotel located just north of the White House on 16th Street in Washington, D.C.
History
The hotel was built by Statler Hotels and began construction in 1940. It opened on Januar ...
on May 27–28, 1987, sponsored by the
E.W. Scripps Company
The E. W. Scripps Company is an American broadcasting company founded in 1878 as a chain of daily newspapers by Edward Willis "E. W." Scripps and his sister, Ellen Browning Scripps. It was also formerly a media conglomerate. The company is he ...
.
The winner was 13-year-old Stephanie Petit
[Levin Steve (6 July 2003)]
Past winners spell out pain and glory of 'The Bee'
''Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
The ''Pittsburgh Post-Gazette'', also known simply as the PG, is the largest newspaper serving metropolitan Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Descended from the ''Pittsburgh Gazette'', established in 1786 as the first newspaper published west of the All ...
'' of
Bethel Park, Pennsylvania
Bethel Park, officially the Municipality of Bethel Park, is a borough with home rule status in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is part of the Pittsburgh metropolitan area, located approximately southwest of Pittsburgh. The pop ...
, prevailing on the word "staphylococci".
[Macino, Richard (29 May 1987)]
Bethel Park girl wins national spelling bee
''Pittsburgh Press
''The Pittsburgh Press'' (formerly ''The Pittsburg Press'' and originally ''The Evening Penny Press'') was a major afternoon daily newspaper published in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, from 1884 to 1992. At one time, the ''Press'' was the second larg ...
''[Macino, Richard (3 May 1987)]
Third Time's the charm for spelling champ
''Pittsburgh Press
''The Pittsburgh Press'' (formerly ''The Pittsburg Press'' and originally ''The Evening Penny Press'') was a major afternoon daily newspaper published in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, from 1884 to 1992. At one time, the ''Press'' was the second larg ...
''[Healy, Rita (19 May 2007)]
1987: Stephanie Petit
''Time'' Second place went to 14-year-old Rachel Nussbaum of
Ithaca, New York
Ithaca is a city in the Finger Lakes region of New York, United States. Situated on the southern shore of Cayuga Lake, Ithaca is the seat of Tompkins County and the largest community in the Ithaca metropolitan statistical area. It is named a ...
, who fell on "dyscalculia".
[(29 May 1987)]
Pennsylvania Girls Wins National Spelling Bee
''Dispatch'' (Associated Press
The Associated Press (AP) is an American non-profit news agency headquartered in New York City. Founded in 1846, it operates as a cooperative, unincorporated association. It produces news reports that are distributed to its members, U.S. newspa ...
)[Levin, Steve (6 July 2003)]
Past winners spell out pain and glory of 'The Bee'
''Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
The ''Pittsburgh Post-Gazette'', also known simply as the PG, is the largest newspaper serving metropolitan Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Descended from the ''Pittsburgh Gazette'', established in 1786 as the first newspaper published west of the All ...
''
There were 185 spellers this year, 92 boys and 93 girls.
[(28 May 1987)]
2-Day Forecast: Capital In For A Spell of Spelling
''Toledo Blade'' Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania (; ( Pennsylvania Dutch: )), officially the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, is a state spanning the Mid-Atlantic, Northeastern, Appalachian, and Great Lakes regions of the United States. It borders Delaware to its southeast, ...
sent the most, with 15. Twenty-nine were appearing at their second bee, and five were there for a third visit.
After the first day of competition, the field was reduced to 123 after four rounds of spelling. One hundred eight spellers fell in two rounds on the morning of day two, leaving 15 spellers at the lunch break; nine girls and six boys.
A total of 877 words were used.
[(28 May 1987)]
Girl wins U.S. spelling bee
''Spokesman-Review'' (Associated Press
The Associated Press (AP) is an American non-profit news agency headquartered in New York City. Founded in 1846, it operates as a cooperative, unincorporated association. It produces news reports that are distributed to its members, U.S. newspa ...
) Alex Cameron served as pronouncer.
The first place prize was $1,500 (and other non-cash prizes),
the first increase in the prior $1,000 top award since 1956.
[(11 May 1956)]
63 Young Champions Entered In National Spelling Contest
''Wilmington Star-News'' (noting rise in first place award in 1956 from $500 to $1000) Petit also appeared on ''
The Tonight Show
''The Tonight Show'' is an American late-night talk show that has aired on NBC since 1954. The show has been hosted by six comedians: Steve Allen (1954–1957), Jack Paar (1957–1962), Johnny Carson (1962–1992), Jay Leno (1992–2009 and 201 ...
'' with
Johnny Carson
John William Carson (October 23, 1925 – January 23, 2005) was an American television host, comedian, writer and producer. He is best known as the host of ''The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson'' (1962–1992). Carson received six Pr ...
on June 10.
[(9 June 1987)]
Speller gains fame
''Pittsburgh Press
''The Pittsburgh Press'' (formerly ''The Pittsburg Press'' and originally ''The Evening Penny Press'') was a major afternoon daily newspaper published in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, from 1884 to 1992. At one time, the ''Press'' was the second larg ...
''[(30 May 1987)]
Reagan visits a spell with award winner
''Pittsburgh Press
''The Pittsburgh Press'' (formerly ''The Pittsburg Press'' and originally ''The Evening Penny Press'') was a major afternoon daily newspaper published in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, from 1884 to 1992. At one time, the ''Press'' was the second larg ...
'' Second place received $1,000, third got $750, fourth $500, fifth $400, sixth $300, 7th through 10th received $200, and the remaining spellers each received $50.
An additional change this year was that the opening practice round was eliminated, due to the growing number of spellers.
References
External links
{{Scripps National Spelling Bee
Scripps National Spelling Bee competitions
1987 in Washington, D.C.
1987 in education
May 1987 events in the United States