55th Scripps National Spelling Bee
| 55th Scripps National Spelling Bee | |
|---|---|
 The Capital Hilton, site of the 55th National Spelling Bee | |
| Date | June 2–3, 1982 |
| Location | The Capital Hilton in Washington, D.C.[1] |
| Winner | Molly Dieveney |
| Age | 12 |
| Residence | Denver, Colorado |
| Sponsor | Rocky Mountain News |
| Sponsor location | Denver, Colorado |
| Winning word | psoriasis |
| No. of contestants | 126 |
| Pronouncer | Alex Cameron |
| Preceded by | 54th Scripps National Spelling Bee |
| Followed by | 56th Scripps National Spelling Bee |
The 55th Scripps National Spelling Bee was held in Washington, D.C. at the Capital Hilton on June 2–3, 1982, sponsored by the E.W. Scripps Company.
The competition was won by 12-year-old Molly Dieveney from Denver, Colorado, correctly spelling "psoriasis" for the win.[2] Dieveney was coached by the mother of Jacques Bailly (her next door neighbor), who won the bee two years prior. Second place went to 13-year-old Uma Rao of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, who misspelled "contretemps."[2] Jason Johnson, 13, of St. Joseph, Missouri, and who placed second the prior year, placed third after missing "gauleiter."[1][2][3]
There were 126 spellers this year, 81 girls and 45 boys, with 54 making it to the second day of competition. Nine spellers left in the first round, 22 in the second, 8 in the third, and 33 in the fourth.[2][4][5] Alex Cameron was the pronouncer.[6] A total of 546 words were used.[7]
The first place cash prize was $1,000, with $500 for second, and $250 for third. The next five finishers got $100, the next ten $75, and the remaining received $50.[8]
References
- 1 2 Sweeney, Louise (4 June 1982). F-a-m-e, f-o-r-t-u-n-e at US spelling bee, Christian Science Monitor
- 1 2 3 4 Anderson, David E. (3 June 1982). Molly Dieveney, a 12-year-old sixth grader from Denver, Colo, UPI
- ↑ Waxman, Olivia B. (25 May 2016). Past Winners of the Scripps National Spelling Bee: Where They Are Now, Time
- ↑ (3 June 1982). Here is list of spellers eliminated during the 55th..., UPI (full list of 126 spellers and word and round they were eliminated in)
- ↑ Cohn, D'Vera (2 June 1982). 95 Youngsters Survive 1st DAy in 55th National Spelling Bee, Sarasota Herald-Tribune (UPI)
- ↑ Yancey, Matt (2 June 1982). Spellers put in a good word, Lawrence Journal-World (Associated Press)
- ↑ Macino, Dick (8 June 1983). District's No. 1 Speller Finds National Bee Wordy From Start, Pittsburgh Press
- ↑ (1 June 1982). Contestatn is excited and a little bit nervous, The Day