The 57th Scripps National Spelling Bee was held in Washington, D.C. at the Capital Hilton on May 30–31, 1984, sponsored by the E.W. Scripps Company.
The winner was 13-year-old Daniel Greenblatt of Sterling, Virginia, who correctly spelled "luge" for the win.(1 June 1984). 'Luge' was more than a sled for spelling bee victor, Deseret News (Associated Press)(31 May 1984). 'Hard word, shot in the dark', Ellensburg Daily Record (UPI) Greenblatt was the first winner ever sponsored by a weekly newspaper, the Loudon Times-Mirror of Leesburg, Virginia. Second place went to 13-year-old Amy McWhirter of St. Joseph, Michigan, who missed "towhee".Wallace, Lezlie (1 June 1984). Local Speller Finishes 10th in National Spelling Bee, The Dispatch
There were 151 contestants this year (up from 137 the prior year), 78 girls and 73 boys. Fourth- to eighth-place spellers made it to the second day of competition.Scherf, Margaret (31 May 1984). 47 survive the first day of National Spelling Bee, Gainesville Sun (Associated Press) A total of 606 words were used.O'Herin, Tim. (29 May 1984). Lawton Student Watches History in the Making Spelling Contestant Sees Interment of Vietnam Veteran, Oklahoman
The first-place winner received $1000. Alex Cameron was the pronouncer, in his fourth year in that role.Grove, Lloyd (1 June 1984). To Win Is To 'L-u-g-e', The Washington Post
References
External links Final 45 seconds of 1984 bee, via NBC News Archives on YouTube