1929

The 5th National Spelling Bee took place on May 21st, 1929. It was held at the National Museum Auditorium in Washington, D.C., and 21 spellers participated.

The 1929 champion Virginia Hogan from Omaha and the 1930 champion Helen Jensen from Council Bluffs, Iowa, lived five miles apart.

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About the 5th Bee

Champion

Virginia Hogan

Omaha, Nebraska

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.

Location

National Museum Auditorium

Winning Word

luxuriance(n)

lug-ZHU-ree-ents

the quality or state of being abundantly and often extravagantly rich and varied.

This word is from Latin.

OFFICIALS

Directors

Donald McWain

Judges

  • Rev. Dr. James S. Montgomery
  • Major General Henry T. Allen
  • William C. Deming

Pronouncers

  • Dr. Charles E. Hill

SPELLER ROSTER

  • Mary Bennet
  • Margaret Carlson
  • Louis Chamerlain
  • Teresa Chiaravalloti
  • Winifred Church
  • Chapin Fay
  • Albert Gomo
  • Anna Catherine Green
  • Teru Hayashi
  • Virginia Hogan
  • Ruth Kirkpatrick
  • Mary Krichavsky
  • Mary Elaine McCarthy
  • Rose Nelson
  • Irene Olson
  • Marjean Ruff
  • Mary Semelisky
  • Mary Josephine Souza
  • Viola Strbac
  • Margaret Sullivan
  • Winfield Yarnell

* Winner
** Runner-Up