Date May 29-30, 1991 Age 13 | Winner Joanne Lagatta | |
 | ||
Sponsor | ||
The 64th Scripps National Spelling Bee was held in Washington, D.C. at the Capital Hilton on May 29-30, 1991, sponsored by the E.W. Scripps Company.
The winner was 13 year old Joanna Lagatta of Clintonville, Wisconsin, spelling "antipyretic" for the win. Second place went to 11 year old Maria Mathew of Sterling, Illinois, who missed "inappeteance." The final two girls competed against each other for almost 90 minutes before a winner emerged. Third and fourth place went to 13-year old Todd Wallace of Blackfoot, Idaho and 12-year old Eric Herman of Hightstown, New Jersey. Wallace placed second the next year.
There were 227 spellers this year, 113 girls and 114 boys, from age 10-15. Six were appearing for at third time, and 35 were appearing for a second time.
The first place prize (in addition to non-cash prizes) was $5,000. Second place received $4,000.
As of 2016, Lagatta has been the only bee winner from Wisconsin.