| 6th National Spelling Bee | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Date | May 27, 1930 |
| Location | National Museum in Washington, D.C. |
| Winner | Helen Jensen |
| Age | 14 |
| Residence | Council Bluffs, Iowa |
| Sponsor | The Des Moines Register and Tribune |
| Sponsor location | Des Moines, Iowa |
| Winning word | albumen |
| No. of contestants | 24[1] |
| Pronouncer | Charles E. Hill and Stephen Kramer[2] |
| Preceded by | 5th Scripps National Spelling Bee |
| Followed by | 7th Scripps National Spelling Bee |
The 6th National Spelling Bee was held at the National Museum in Washington, D.C., on May 27, 1930.[3] Scripps-Howard would not sponsor the Bee until 1941.
The winner was 14-year-old Helen Jensen of Council Bluffs, Iowa, who correctly spelled the word albumen.[4] Ruth Des Jardins of Michigan came in second after stumbling on "asceticism," followed by Mildred Froning of Indiana, who went out on "conflagration".[5][6]
The final hour of the contest was broadcast on radio, starting at 3 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, by the National Broadcasting Company.[7]
There were 24 contestants in this year's competition.[8] The first-place winner received $1,000, while second place was awarded $500, and third place received $250.[5]
- ^ Note: Sources at the time vary on her age from 12 to 14, but public records appear to verify a February 1916 birthdate
- ^ (26 May 1930). Spelling, Akron Beacon Journal
- ^ Annual Report - United States National Museum (1930), p. 39 ("May 27, 11.30 a.m. (auditorium): The sixth annual national spelling bee.")
- ^ (28 May 1930). Tall Corn Girl Wins National Spelling Bee, Pittsburgh Press (noting that the 2nd place winner missed "asceticism"; Jensen had to correctly spell that word and "albumen" to win).
- ^ a b (28 May 1930). Iowa Girl Wins National Spelling Bee In Capital, Lewiston Daily Sun
- ^ (4 June 1930). Queen of Spellers, Southeast Missourian (photo of Jensen)
- ^ (24 May 1930). Spelling Bee On Air, Reading Eagle (Associated Press)
- ^ (28 May 1930). Iowa Girl, 12, Wins National Spelling Bee, Chicago Tribune (article includes a full list of spellers, their order out, and the word they missed)