36th Scripps National Spelling Bee

The 36th Scripps National Spelling Bee was held in Washington, D.C., on June 12–13, 1963, sponsored by the E.W. Scripps Company.

36th Scripps National Spelling Bee
The Mayflower Hotel, site of the 36th National Spelling Bee
DateJune 12–13, 1963
LocationThe Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D.C.[1]
WinnerGlen Van Slyke III
Age13
ResidenceOak Ridge, Tennessee
SponsorKnoxville News Sentinel
Sponsor locationKnoxville, Tennessee
Winning wordequipage
No. of contestants69
PronouncerRichard R. Baker
Preceded by35th Scripps National Spelling Bee
Followed by37th Scripps National Spelling Bee

13-year-old eighth-grader Glen Van Slyke III of Oak Ridge, Tennessee, sponsored by the Knoxville News Sentinel, won the competition in 33 rounds, correctly spelling the final word equipage. His strategy involved spelling very slowly to ensure accuracy as well as asking for derivations and roots of every word. Second place went to Elaine Piecuch (age 14) of Winslow, Maine, who failed to correctly spell biliousness, followed in third by Gary Barringer (age 14) of East Liverpool, Ohio. The top prizes were $1000, $500, and $250.

There were 69 contestants this year, 39 girls and 30 boys.[2] Nine came from Texas, eight from Ohio, six from Pennsylvania, and five from New York. Four spellers were return contestants.[3]

A record number of 752 words were used in the competition, besting the prior year's record of 718.[4][5][6][7][2]

References
  1. Ackermann, Marsha (2 June 1985). The Invasion of The Spelling People, The Washington Post (Ackermann was participant in 1963 bee)
  2. (12 June 1963). National Spelling Bee Gets Underday, Rome News-Tribune (UPI)
  3. Moulton, Charlotte G. (12 June 1963). 69 in Spelling Bee Finals, Eugene Register Guard
  4. Williams, Joseph J. (14 June 1963). D-E-L-B-E-R-A-T-E Bee Kind's Key Word, Pittsburgh Press
  5. (13 June 1963). Spelling Bee Decided By Word for Upset Stomach, Ellensburg Daily Record (Associated Press)
  6. (14 June 1963). He Wins Spelling Bee (photo), Evening Independent
  7. (13 June 1963). National Spelling Bee Nearing Finals, Rome News-Tribune (UPI) (Update article on status of bee as second day started; Notes for 47th-53rd to drop out)
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