1942

The 18th Scripps-Howard National Spelling Bee took place on May 26th, 1942. It was held at the National Press Club Auditorium in Washington, D.C., and 26 spellers participated.

According to the champion’s newspaper sponsor, the 1942 National Competition offered a needed bit of relief from the efforts of World War II.

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About the 18th Bee

Champion

Richard Earnhart

El Paso, Texas

Richard Earnhart, age 11, sponsored by the El Paso Herald-Post, won the $500 prize by correctly spelling the word “sacrilegious.”

Richard was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa honor society while at Southern Methodist University. He earned his master’s degree in English at North Texas State College and became a zoologist.

Location

National Press Club Auditorium

Winning Word

sacrilegious(adj)

sak-rih-LIH-jus

relating to or involving gross irreverence toward a hallowed person, place or thing.

This word is from Latin.

OFFICIALS

Directors

Max B. Cook

Judges

  • William Harold Martin
  • Mrs. Wilford L. White
  • Dr. Belmont Farley

Pronouncers

  • Dr. W. Hayes Yeager

SPELLER ROSTER

  • Margery C. Thayer
  • Valerie Devine
  • June Dyer
  • Richard Earnhart
  • James Ellis
  • Lillian Farber
  • Grace Fleming
  • Joyce Fly
  • Bernard Goldberger
  • Dolores Hardy
  • John Hatcher
  • Almarine Kerr
  • Rita Kersigo
  • Hazel M. LaPrade
  • Emma Louise Thomas
  • David Mallett
  • Richard Marburger
  • Janet McCarthy
  • Mary Margaret Montgomery
  • Lanneau Newton
  • Laura Page
  • Irwin Pepper
  • Richard Donald Rierson
  • Jo Anne Rosenstiel
  • Margaret Snyder
  • Julia Ann Strganac

* Winner
** Runner-Up