Date May 29, 1934 Age 12 | Winner Sarah Wilson Residence Maine | |
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Location National Museum in Washington, D.C. Sponsor Portland Evening Express | ||
The 10th National Spelling Bee was held at the National Museum in Washington, D.C. on May 29, 1934. Scripps-Howard would not sponsor the Bee until 1941.
The winner was 12-year-old Sarah Wilson of Gray, Maine, sponsored by the Portland Evening Express, correctly spelling the word brethren. She had also competed in the finals the prior year. James Wilson, age 13, of Canton, Illinois placed second after misspelling deteriorating, followed by Helen Sullivan, age 13, of Connecticut.
The prizes for the top three were $500, $300, and $100. The bee was broadcast on the radio, and when Sarah was asked if she had a message for her father, she responded on air "You remember Daddy, you promised me another $500 if I won first place!" But she did say she wanted to use the money for college.
As of 2016, Wilson has been the only winner from Maine.