77th Scripps National Spelling Bee

The 77th Scripps National Spelling Bee was held on June 1–3, 2004 in Washington D.C..

77th Scripps National Spelling Bee
DateJune 1–3, 2004
LocationGrand Hyatt Washington, Washington D.C.
WinnerDavid Tidmarsh
Age14
ResidenceSouth Bend, Indiana
SponsorSouth Bend Tribune
Sponsor locationSouth Bend, Indiana
Winning wordautochthonous
No. of contestants265
PronouncerJacques Bailly
Preceded by76th Scripps National Spelling Bee
Followed by78th Scripps National Spelling Bee

265 contestants between age 9 and 15 took part in the three-day competition, which lasted 15 rounds. Contestants were given a 25 word written test on the first day, and 191 of the 265 contestants got their first word correct in the oral competition which began on day two. The combination of those first two steps (with one point for each correct written word, and three for the oral word, for a maximum possible score of 28 and a minimum of 18 needed to advance) reduced the initial field to 94. By the end of day two, 46 contestants remained.[1][2]

David Tidmarsh, a 14-year-old eighth-grader from South Bend, Indiana, and sponsored by the South Bend Tribune, took first after spelling autochthonous. Tidmarsh’s prize package included $12,000 and engraved cup, plus additional prizes from sponsors including an additional $5,000. Tidmarsh had come in 16th in the prior year's competition.

Akshay Buddiga, a 13-year-old boy from Colorado Springs, Colorado, took second. At one point Buddiga briefly fainted while attempting to spell "alopecoid", but stood up and spelled the word correctly. Akshay’s brother, Pratyush, won the 2002 Scripps National Spelling Bee.

Spellers faced a two-minute two limit per word, followed by a 30-second countdown clock, with the one-time ability to request one minute of bonus time.[3][4][5]

See also

References
  1. (3 June 2004). Forty-six competitors remain as national spelling bee nears end, Lodi News-Sentinel (Associated Press)
  2. Popplewell, Louise (2 June 2004). Youth finishes first round of spelling bee, Victoria Advocate
  3. (3 June 2004). David Tidmarsh, 14, Wins National Spelling Bee, Fox News (Associated Press)
  4. Feller, Ben (4 June 2004). Indiana Boy wins Scripps National Spelling Bee, Daily News (Bowling Green, Kentucky)
  5. MacPherson, Karen (4 June 2004). Wicked word spells disaster, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
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