1927

The 3rd National Spelling Bee took place on June 23rd, 1927. It was held at the National Museum Auditorium in Washington, D.C., and 17 spellers participated.

It’s common for “repeaters,” spellers who have competed in a previous National Competition, to take home the trophy. It turns out this tradition is longstanding; 1927 champion Dean Lucas was the first “repeater” to win the National Competition, having spelled the year before in 1926.

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About the 3rd Bee

Champion

Dean Lucas

Congress, Ohio

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.

Location

National Museum Auditorium

Winning Word

abrogate(v)

A-bruh-gayt

to abolish by authoritative, official, or formal action : to annul : to repeal.

This word is from Latin.

OFFICIALS

Directors

John H. Bartlett

Judges

  • Joshua A. Evans
  • Alvin W. Miller
  • Rev. Dr. James S. Montgomery

Pronouncers

  • Dr. Samuel M. North

SPELLER ROSTER

  • Marjorie Allen
  • Margaret Beale
  • Anna Marie Bergan
  • Hulda Fornell
  • Albert Govoni
  • Marie Hahn
  • Virginia Jones
  • Ralph Keenan
  • Dean Lucas
  • Anita McCloskey
  • Dorothy O’Reilly
  • Minerva Ressler
  • Mildred Riddle
  • Margaret Ross
  • Grace Helen Sherman
  • Chester Wilcox
  • Lillian Zetoff

* Winner
** Runner-Up