1920s Champions

Frank Neuhauser

Frank Neuhauser, age 11, sponsored by the Louisville Courier-Journal, won $500 in gold pieces by correctly spelling the word “gladiolus.”

Frank earned his bachelor’s degree in engineering from the University of Louisville and his law degree from George Washington University. He became a patent attorney for General Electric. He also appeared in the Spellbound documentary and attended several Scripps National Spelling Bees after his championship, including in 2002. He died in 2011.

Pauline Bell

Pauline Bell, age 13, sponsored by the Louisville Courier-Journal, won the $1,000 prize by correctly spelling the word “cerise.”

Pauline became a teacher in her hometown, then later worked for the Kentucky Department of Human Resources, Bureau of Social Insurance, for 30 years. She retired in 1978 and died in 2010.

Dean Lucas

Dean Lucas, age 13, sponsored by the Akron Beacon Journal, won the $1,000 prize by correctly spelling the word “abrogate.”

Dean entered the U.S. Army in 1942. He served in France and the Philippines and became a lieutenant before being stationed in Fort Benning, Georgia.

Betty Robinson

Betty Robinson, age 13, sponsored by the South Bend News-Times, won the $1,000 prize by correctly spelling the word “knack.”

Betty married and became Betty Robinson Snodgrass. She died in 1954 of ovarian cancer.

Virginia Hogan

Virginia Hogan, age 12, sponsored by the Omaha World-Herald, won the $1,000 prize by correctly spelling the word “luxuriance.”

Virginia married and became Virginia Hogan McDonald. She attended Duchesne College in Omaha. She died in 1976.