1934

The 10th National Spelling Bee took place on May 29th, 1934. It was held at the National Museum Auditorium in Washington, D.C., and 19 spellers participated.

Following her spelling bee win, Sarah Wilson graduated from the University of Vermont and Yale Law School before working as an attorney for the IRS for more than 40 years. She remains the only champion to represent Maine.

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About the 10th Bee

Champion

Sarah Wilson

Gray, Maine

Sarah Wilson, age 12, sponsored by the Portland Evening Express, won the $500 prize by correctly spelling the word “brethren.”

Sarah married and became Sarah Garrett. She graduated from the University of Vermont in 1941, and Yale Law School in 1944. She worked as an attorney for the Internal Revenue Service for more than 40 years and died in 1998.

Location

National Museum Auditorium

Winning Word

brethren(n)

BREH-thrun

ones related or linked to others by some common tie or interest (as of shared rank, profession, membership in a society, suffering, or labor).

This word is originally English.

OFFICIALS

Directors

Donald McWain

Judges

  • Sen. David Walsh
  • Rev. Dr. James S. Montgomery
  • Dr. Belmont Farley

Pronouncers

  • Dr. Charles E. Hill

SPELLER ROSTER

  • Howard Blair
  • Lucile Coolidge
  • Billy Duffel
  • Mary Greene
  • Margaret Hook
  • Norma Livermore
  • James Martin
  • Edward Meany
  • Phoebe Mellinger
  • Ann O’Regan
  • Richard Ovington
  • Shirley Raw
  • Ann Shaffer
  • Helen Sullivan
  • David Ward
  • James Wilson
  • Sarah Wilson
  • Thelma Wrisley
  • Alex Zagar

* Winner
** Runner-Up