1951

The 24th Scripps-Howard National Spelling Bee took place on May 25th, 1951. It was held at the National Press Club Auditorium in Washington, D.C., and 51 spellers participated.

1951 champion Irving Belz wore a plaid vest, chartreuse pants and blue suede shoes with pink shoelaces to the National Competition.

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About the 24th Bee

Champion

Irving Belz

Memphis, Tennessee

Irving Belz, age 13, sponsored by the Memphis Press-Scimitar, won the $500 prize by correctly spelling the word “insouciant.”

Irving attended Tulane University and then graduated from Southwestern (Rhodes) College in Memphis. He became a doctor after graduating from the University of Tennessee Medical School in 1961. Dr. Belz served in the U.S. Army Medical Corps, obtaining the rank of Captain. He died in 2015. Unfortunately no image of this champion and his impressive look has been found on record.

Location

National Press Club Auditorium

Winning Word

insouciant(adj)

in-SOO-see-unt

exhibiting or characterized by freedom from concern or care.

This word is from a French word.

OFFICIALS

Directors

Charles Schneider

Judges

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

Pronouncers

  • Benson S. Alleman

SPELLER ROSTER

  • Virgina Adams
  • Richard W. Aherne
  • Fronia Alexander
  • Michael Aratingi
  • Sherilyn Aylesworth
  • Mary Anne Bechkowiak
  • Louis Bell
  • Irving Belz
  • Don Cartlidge
  • Joan Marguerite Davidson
  • Jane Palmer Elsberg
  • Ralph Eubank
  • Lucia Evans
  • Marjorie Foliart
  • Ronald Fredette
  • Carolyn Kay Gibbs
  • Gretchen Grosdidier
  • Doris Ann Hall
  • Louise Hatfield
  • Billy Huffman
  • Barbara Jack
  • John Kittrell
  • Jo-Ann Kling
  • Celia Langford
  • Layne Allen Longfellow
  • Curtice Loop
  • Betty Loverde
  • Mary Helen Malone
  • Gail Manketo
  • Bunny McCain
  • Mary McLaughlin
  • John Moody
  • Joan Pfundstein
  • Gail Plaster
  • Gene Profant
  • Normand A. Provost
  • Eleanor Rich
  • Hugh Schramm
  • Patsy Shamhart
  • Naomi Sheppard
  • Beverly Simon
  • Carole Skowronek
  • Neil Smith
  • David Suckow
  • Ramona Talbott
  • Patsy Taylor
  • Margaret Anne Trowell
  • Sandra Cecile Watson
  • Grant Welch, Jr.
  • Bruce Williams
  • Carol Wright

* Winner
** Runner-Up