17th Scripps National Spelling Bee

Spelling bee held in the United States in 1941 February 2025 17th Scripps National Spelling Bee File:Nationalpressbuilding1.jpg National Press Building, Washington, D.C. May 28, 1941 Auditorium of the National Press Building Louis Edward Sissman 13 The Detroit News Detroit, Michigan initials 29 16th Scripps National Spelling Bee 18th Scripps National Spelling Bee The 17th Scripps National Spelling Bee was held in Washington, District of Columbia on May 28, 1941. This was the first year that Scripps-Howard (now E.W. Scripps Company) hosted the event. The winner was 13-year-old Louis Edward Sissman of Detroit, Michigan, correctly spelling the word initials.(29 May 1941). Detroit Boy is Champ Speller, St. Petersburg Times (Associated Press) Phyllis Davis of Ohio placed second, misspelling "chrysanthemum" (which Sissman proceeded to spell correctly), and third went to 13-year-old Homer Lyon, Jr., of Miami, Florida, who fell on "ague."Boys in the News, Boys' Life (August 1941) (No. 7 on page 25 is a picture of Sissman with Dr. W. Hayes Yeager) The first place prize was $500, followed by $300 for second. As of 2026, Sissman is the only Bee winner from Michigan.(2 June 2017). Local student reflects on spelling bee experience, Grand Haven Tribune At the time of his win, it was widely reported that he was the first boy to win since 1927, apparently overlooking that Ward Randall won in 1931, which was still a ten-year gap.(7 June 1941). 14 Year Upset, St. Cloud Times (incorrectly reporting, consistent with other stories, that Sissman was first male winner since 1927) References External links Photograph of 1941 top three, Scripps National Spelling Bee instagram post (December 17, 2015) Category:Scripps National Spelling Bee competitions Scripps National Spelling Bee Scripps National Spelling Bee Category:1941 in Washington, D.C. Scripps National Spelling Bee