1975

The 48th Scripps-Howard National Spelling Bee took place on June 5th, 1975. It was held at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D.C., and 79 spellers participated.

Hugh Tosteson García won this year, hailing from Puerto Rico. He was the first winner from outside of the 50 United States.

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About the 48th Bee

Champion

Hugh Tosteson García

San Germán, Puerto Rico

Hugh Tosteson García, age 14, sponsored by The San Juan Star, won the $1,000 prize by correctly spelling the word “incisor.”

Hugh earned an undergraduate degree from the University of Pennsylvania. His career has spanned job titles that include FEMA reservist, staff historian, field technician and archaeological researcher.

Location

Mayflower Hotel

at the Grand Ballroom

Winning Word

incisor(n)

in-SAHY-zur

a tooth adapted for cutting, especially one of the cutting teeth in mammals arising from the premaxillary bone of the upper jaw in front of the canines.

This word is from Latin.

OFFICIALS

Directors

James H. Wagner

Judges

  • Dr. Robert E. Baker
  • Leroy C. Dillard
  • John H. Lloyd

Pronouncers

  • Dr. Richard R. Baker

SPELLER ROSTER

  • Michael Adams
  • Kathy Baxter
  • Robert Bielski
  • Mary Brockenbrough
  • Patricia A. Brown
  • Beth Browne
  • Diane Bryan
  • Kim Carver
  • Andrew W. Clark
  • Bette Jean Cook
  • William C. Cota
  • Leon Debolt
  • Jaime Deeter
  • Darla Durand
  • Linda Eilers
  • Jayne Eudy
  • Jill Fields
  • Peter Francis
  • Hugh Tosteson García
  • Marie Grose
  • Debbie Hammerl
  • Marcia Harness
  • Kent Hartman
  • Richard Hatley
  • Holly Helmke
  • Stephan Hogge
  • Ginger Hurajt
  • David Judish
  • Kimberly Justice
  • Craig Kamins
  • Mary Kerwin
  • Anne Marie King
  • John R. Kingham Jr.
  • Donna Kriebel
  • Gigi LaRue
  • Mark Lining
  • Jim Lippert
  • Caroline Livingston
  • Margaret Long
  • Scott Lucas
  • Ketan Malde
  • Jeffrey S. Mayo
  • Laura McAlpine
  • Eileen McPherson
  • Carlton Miller
  • Gina Miscovich
  • Robert A. Muhar
  • Mark Napier
  • Nancy Nethery
  • Leslie Norton
  • Gary Oberbrunner
  • Mark Ogle
  • Patricia Olivares
  • Bonnie Painter
  • David Phend
  • Kristine Polisciano
  • Dan Postontnik
  • Amy Ragsdale
  • Molly Reddin
  • Jennifer Robinson
  • Jeffrey Schinkner
  • Tara Smith
  • Richard Spontak
  • Susan Strasma
  • Timothy M. Sutherland
  • Pam Thompson
  • Brian Throckmorton
  • Eileen Tibbetts
  • Hugh C. Tosteson
  • Greg Trame
  • Linda Waint
  • Jeanne Walden
  • Debra Walker
  • Angie Watkins
  • Lisa Weinstock
  • Karin Weng
  • Lore Witt
  • Dane Wittrup
  • Kristi York
  • David Zobel

* Winner
** Runner-Up