27th Scripps National Spelling Bee

The 27th Scripps National Spelling Bee was held in Washington, District of Columbia on May 20, 1954, sponsored by the E.W. Scripps Company.

27th Scripps National Spelling Bee
Department of Commerce auditorium
Date	May 20, 1954
Location	Department of Commerce auditorium, Washington, D.C.
Winner	William Cashore
Age	14
Residence	Center Square, Pennsylvania
Sponsor	Norristown Times Herald
Sponsor location	Norristown, Pennsylvania
Winning word	transept
No. of contestants	57
Pronouncer	Benson S. Alleman
Preceded by	26th Scripps National Spelling Bee
Followed by	28th Scripps National Spelling Bee

The winner was William Cashore, 14, of Center Square, Pennsylvania, for correctly spelling the word transept.^[1] William Kelly, 11, of Deering, Missouri, took second, and Patricia Brown, 14, of Birmingham, Alabama placed third.^[1]

There were 57 contestants that year,^[1] with 39 girls and 18 boys.^[2] Only one speller was a repeat contestant.^[3] The first place prize was $500 (plus $100 for expenses for a weekend trip to New York City and appearances on television), $300 for second, $100 for third, $20 each for the next 20 finishers, and $40 each for the remaining spellers.^[4]

Benson S. Alleman was the pronouncer.^[4]

References

1. (21 May 1954). Uncinated, Transept, Effete, Bagatele, Bill Cashore Spelled 'Em, Won $1,500, Utica Daily Press (Associated Press)
2. (21 May 1954). Spells 'Uncinated' and Hooks $500 Top Prize, Daytona Beach Morning-Journal
3. (16 May 1954). World-Wise Melody Tunes Up for National Spelling Title Run, Pittsburgh Press
4. (19 May 1954). North Canton's Champion Speller Now in Washington, D.C., The Sun (North Canton, Ohio)