| 9th National Spelling Bee | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Date | May 30, 1933 |
| Location | National Museum in Washington, D.C. |
| Winner | Alma Roach |
| Age | 12 |
| Residence | Twinsburg, Ohio |
| Sponsor | Akron Beacon Journal |
| Sponsor location | Akron, Ohio |
| Winning word | torsion |
| No. of contestants | 16[1] |
| Pronouncer | Charles E. Hill and H.E. Warner[2] |
| Preceded by | 8th Scripps National Spelling Bee |
| Followed by | 10th Scripps National Spelling Bee |
The 9th National Spelling Bee was held in Washington, D.C., on May 30, 1933, organized by the Louisville Courier-Journal. Scripps-Howard would not sponsor the Bee until 1941.
The winner was 12-year-old Alma Roach of Twinsburg, Ohio, sponsored by the Akron Beacon Journal, correctly spelling the word torsion. George Meltzer (age 14) of New Jersey placed second[3] (missing propitiatory), followed by 13-year-old Virginia Wood in third (missing holocaust).[4]
Roach won $500 for first place (a drop from the usual $1000), followed by $300 for second, and $100 for third.[4]
The event was broadcast on radio.[5]
Roach (married name Mercer) became a teacher, retiring from Solon Middle School in her hometown of Twinsburg in 1983. She died at Akron General Hospital on July 31, 2003.[6]
- ^ (12 June 1933). Returning Heroine, Nevada Stage Journal, p. 5, col 7 ("Being able to spell 'propitiatory' when the other 15 best spellers in the United States couldn't ...")
- ^ (25 May 1933). Can Ask for Definitions, Wilkes-Barre Record
- ^ (15 October 2012). George Meltzer (obituary), The Jersey Journal
- ^ a b (30 May 1933). Paper's National Spelling Bee Won By Akron Girl, 12, Schenectady Gazette
- ^ (28 May 1933). On WABC, Brooklyn Daily Eagle
- ^ (2 August 2003). Alma R. (Roach) Mercer (obituary), Akron Beacon-Journal