7th Scripps National Spelling Bee

The 7th National Spelling Bee was held at the National Museum in Washington, D.C. on May 27, 1931.[2] Scripps-Howard would not sponsor the Bee until 1941.

7th National Spelling Bee
DateMay 27, 1931
LocationNational Museum in Washington, D.C.
WinnerWard Randall
Age12
ResidenceIllinois
SponsorWhite Hall Register-Republican
Sponsor locationWhite Hall, Illinois
Winning wordfoulard
No. of contestants23[1]
PronouncerSamuel M. North and Charles E. Hill
Preceded by6th Scripps National Spelling Bee
Followed by8th Scripps National Spelling Bee

The winner was 12-year-old Ward Randall of White Hall, Illinois, correctly spelling the word foulard. Charles Michel, 14, of Bellaire, Ohio took second (misspelling foulard as folard), followed by Mary Scheidler, 14, of Millhousen, Indiana in third.[3] Blanche Krell, 13, of Detroit placed fourth. Aaron Butler, Jr. of Weir, Kansas, placed fifth. Butler had dropped out at 15th place but was reinstated after contending he had properly spelled "incroachment". When he was reinstated, only six spellers were left.[3] Dorothy Greenwald placed 17th, but went on to win the following year.[4]

There were 23 contestants this year.[1] Samuel M. North, superintendent of Maryland high schools, served as pronouncer, along with Charles E. Hill of George Washington University.[2]

First prize was $1000, followed by $500 for second, and $250 for third.[3][5]

The NBC radio network broadcast the final hour of the bee.[5]

Randall was the first Bee winner from Illinois, and alone in that honor until Balu Natarajan won in 1985.[6]

References
  1. (27 May 1931). Boy Wins a $1,000 Prize By Spelling 'Foulard' In Right Way, Evening Independent (Associated Press)
  2. (27 May 1931). Boy, 12, Is Best Speller, Brooklyn Standard Union (UP)
  3. (27 May 1931). Illinois Youth Wins National Spelling Bee, Schenectady Gazette
  4. Maguire, James. American Bee: The National Spelling Bee and the Culture of Word Nerds, p. 71 (2006)
  5. (24 May 1931). Dignan leaves today for bee, Louisville Courier-Journal
  6. Fieldman, Chuck (25 May 2015). Hinsdale man recalls winning national spelling bee 30 years ago, Chicago Tribune
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