1925

The 1st National Spelling Bee took place on June 17th, 1925. It was held at the National Museum Auditorium in Washington, D.C., and only 9 spellers participated.

The first champion of the National Spelling Bee, Frank Neuhauser, attended the 50th National Spelling Bee in 1977, and he was a guest of honor at a number of National Competitions throughout his lifetime. He passed away in 2011 at the age of 97. Neuhauser is said to have been particularly fond of raising gladioli in his garden.

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About the 1st Bee

Champion

Frank Neuhauser

Louisville, Kentucky

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.

Location

National Museum Auditorium

Winning Word

gladiolus(n)

gladee-OH-lus

any plant of a genus of plants native chiefly to Africa with a few native to Europe and Asia that have upright sword-shaped leaves and spikes of brilliantly colored irregular flowers arising from flattened stems.

This word is from Latin.

OFFICIALS

Directors

John Tigert

Pronouncers

  • Dr. George S. Wills

SPELLER ROSTER

  • Mary Coddens
  • Mary Daniel
  • Helen Fisher
  • Dorothy Karrick
  • Patrick Kelly
  • Lorin Mackey
  • Frank Neuhauser
  • Almeda Pennington
  • Edna Stover

* Winner
** Runner-Up