1932

The 8th National Spelling Bee took place on June 7th, 1932. It was held at the National Museum Auditorium in Washington, D.C., and 19 spellers participated.

Dr. Charles E. Hill, dean of George Washington University, and Robert L. Haycock, assistant superintendent for Washington, D.C., schools, served as pronouncer for the 1932 competition. They alternated in 30-minute shifts.

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About the 8th Bee

Champion

Dorothy Greenwald

Muscatine, Iowa

Dorothy Greenwald, age 13, sponsored by The Des Moines Register & Tribune, won the $1,000 prize by correctly spelling the word “invulnerable.”

Dorothy was salutatorian of her high school class and worked for Carver Pump, Stanley Law Office and H.J. Heinz Company. She married and became Dorothy Schlutz. She died in 2008. No image of this champion has been found on record.

Location

National Museum Auditorium

Winning Word

invulnerable(adj)

in-VUL-nur-uh-bul

incapable of being wounded, injured, or damaged.

This word is from Latin.

OFFICIALS

Directors

Donald McWain

Judges

  • Dr. Belmont Farley
  • David Segel
  • Rev. Dr. James S. Montgomery

Pronouncers

  • Dr. Charles E. Hill
  • Robert L. Haycock

SPELLER ROSTER

  • Fred L. Ayer
  • Frances Bennett
  • Janet Brophy
  • Kenneth Cecil
  • John Dimmer
  • Eileen Drexler
  • Hilda Dunne
  • Dorothy Greenwald
  • Thomas Hayes
  • Barbara Luff
  • Edward Martin
  • Josephine Miller
  • Betty O’Dea
  • Gladys Pinchbeck
  • Wilma Pyle
  • Sophie Slota
  • Irene Vuocolo
  • Arthur Wibbels
  • Ruth Williams

* Winner
** Runner-Up