1947

The 20th Scripps-Howard National Spelling Bee took place on May 29th, 1947. It was held at the National Press Club Auditorium in Washington, D.C., and 34 spellers participated.

1947 champion Mattie Lou Pollard attended a one-room schoolhouse throughout her academic career. She went on to work for the Department of Defense and then the National Park Service.

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About the 20th Bee

Champion

Mattie Lou Pollard

Thomaston, Georgia

Mattie Lou Pollard, age 14, sponsored by The Atlanta Journal, won the $500 prize by correctly spelling the word “chlorophyll.”

Mattie married and became Mattie Lou Cato. She worked for the Department of Defense and National Parks Service before retiring in 1989. She died in 2006.

Location

National Press Club Auditorium

Winning Word

chlorophyll(n)

KLO-ruh-fil

the green coloring material of plants that is essential to photosynthesis.

This word is from a Greek-derived French word.

OFFICIALS

Directors

Max B. Cook

Judges

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

Pronouncers

  • Harold F. Harding

SPELLER ROSTER

  • Dixie Joe Burch
  • Mary Conley
  • Robert Cunningham
  • Constance Curry
  • Michael daugherty
  • Margeret Daugherty
  • Mary Jo Dauw
  • Sharon Dougherty
  • Claire Etienne
  • Darrell Flavelle
  • Suzanne Gelin
  • Emelie Grey
  • Sharon Gross
  • Betty June Hart
  • Roxanne Haug
  • Frances Hazel
  • Emily Mann High
  • Joan Horn
  • Francis J. Klocke
  • Ardell Lupkes
  • Gary Neil Miller
  • Joan Nieman
  • Doris Osborn
  • Arnold Plotkin
  • Mattie Lou Pollard
  • Frank Reisinger
  • Sonya Rodolfo
  • Patricia Sehl
  • Tyra Sweeny
  • Eleanore Szymaski
  • Julia Ann Teufel
  • Anthony Turrisi
  • Marilla Vander Meulen
  • Mary Sue Volpe
  • Hugh C. Welsh Jr.

* Winner
** Runner-Up