57th Scripps National Spelling Bee
{
The Capital Hilton, site of the 57th National Spelling Bee
DateMay 30–31, 1984
LocationThe Capital Hilton in Washington, D.C.[1]
WinnerDaniel Greenblatt
Age13
ResidenceSterling, Virginia
SponsorLoudoun Times-Mirror
Sponsor locationLeesburg, Virginia
Winning wordluge
No. of contestants151[2]
PronouncerAlex Cameron
Preceded by56th Scripps National Spelling Bee
Followed by58th Scripps National Spelling Bee

The 57th Scripps National Spelling Bee was held in Washington, D.C. at the Capital Hilton on May 30–31, 1984, sponsored by the E.W. Scripps Company.

The winner was 13-year-old Daniel Greenblatt of Sterling, Virginia, who correctly spelled "luge" for the win.[2][3] Greenblatt was the first winner ever sponsored by a weekly newspaper, the Loudon Times-Mirror of Leesburg, Virginia.[2] Second place went to 13-year-old Amy McWhirter of St. Joseph, Michigan, who missed "towhee".[2][1]

There were 151 contestants this year (up from 137 the prior year), 78 girls and 73 boys. Fourth- to eighth-place spellers made it to the second day of competition.[4] A total of 606 words were used.[2][5]

The first-place winner received $1000.[2] Alex Cameron was the pronouncer, in his fourth year in that role.[6]

References

  1. ^ a b Wallace, Lezlie (1 June 1984). Local Speller Finishes 10th in National Spelling Bee, The Dispatch
  2. ^ a b c d e f (1 June 1984). 'Luge' was more than a sled for spelling bee victor, Deseret News (Associated Press)
  3. ^ (31 May 1984). 'Hard word, shot in the dark', Ellensburg Daily Record (UPI)
  4. ^ Scherf, Margaret (31 May 1984). 47 survive the first day of National Spelling Bee, Gainesville Sun (Associated Press)
  5. ^ O'Herin, Tim. (29 May 1984). Lawton Student Watches History in the Making Spelling Contestant Sees Interment of Vietnam Veteran, Oklahoman
  6. ^ Grove, Lloyd (1 June 1984). To Win Is To 'L-u-g-e', The Washington Post

External links

Scripps National Spelling Bee Competitions
Categories