The 26th Scripps National Spelling Bee was held in Washington, District of Columbia on May 21, 1953, sponsored by the E.W. Scripps Company.
The winner was 13-year-old Elizabeth Hess of Arizona, correctly spelling the word soubrette.(22 May 1953). Lizzie Lost Her Concinnity But Soubrette Spells Victory, Milwaukee Sentinel (Associated Press) 11-year-old Raymond A. Sokolov of Detroit, Michigan placed second, falling on "spermaceti", after finishing 22nd the prior year. Third place went to 13-year-old David Hudson of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, who had placed sixth the prior year.
1953 saw 53 contestants participate in the contest with 37 girls and 16 boys. Four of which were returning spellers, and the youngest speller was 11 years old.(21 May 1953). Spelling Bee Under Way, San Mateo Times The total words were used was 541. The contest started at 8:45 am and continued until 5:40 pm except for a lunch break and brief recesses.(20 June 1953). "Soubrette" Takes Catholic Student To Victory In National Spelling Bee , The Bulletin (Augusta, Georgia)(21 May 1953). Kids Line Up To Do Battle With Webster, Eugene Register-Guard (Associated Press)(22 May 1953). Lubbock Girl Vows To Try Again, Lubbock Evening Journal ("The bee was held in the auditorium of the Department of Commerce Building. Among the 541 words called ... Contestants began spelling at 8:45 a.m. and continued, except for a lunch hour and brief rests, until 5:40 p.m.")
As of 2025, Hess is the only speller from Arizona to have ever won the Bee.Cordova, Gilbert (25 March 2016). Scottsdale speller nails the word 'recumbent', heads to Scripps National Spelling Bee, Azcentral.com, Cronkite News
References