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75th Scripps National Spelling Bee

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75th Scripps National Spelling Bee
DateMay 29–30, 2002
LocationGrand Hyatt Washington in Washington, D.C.
WinnerPratyush Buddiga
Age13
ResidenceColorado Springs, Colorado
SponsorRocky Mountain News
Sponsor locationDenver, Colorado
Winning wordprospicience
No. of contestants250
PronouncerAlex Cameron (last year)
Preceded by74th Scripps National Spelling Bee
Followed by76th Scripps National Spelling Bee

The 75th Scripps National Spelling Bee was held in Washington, D.C., on May 29–30, 2002, sponsored by the E.W. Scripps Company.

250 contestants participated in the competition. Thirteen-year-old Pratyush Buddiga, from Colorado Springs, Colorado, won the competition in the 11th round by correctly spelling the word "prospicience".[1][2] Steven Matthew Nalley of Starkville, Mississippi placed second.[2]

This was the first year that a written test was used as a part of the competition, in order to keep the competition to two days. A three-day format was used for the first time the prior year. After making it through a first round of oral spelling on day one (where 75 spellers fell out), spellers had to take a 25-word written test which was considered round two.[3] Ninety spellers made it to the second and final day of the bee.[4][5]

The first place prize was $12,000 (and additional non-cash prizes), and $6,000 for second place.[2]

This was the last year in which Alex Cameron served as pronouncer, a role he had for over 20 years, since the 1981 bee. After Cameron's death in 2003, Jacques Bailly became chief pronouncer.[6]

References

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  1. ^ "Champions and Their Winning Words". Archived from the original on 2012-11-17. Retrieved 2015-02-25.
  2. ^ a b c (30 May 2002). 13-year-old speller from Colorado Springs wins Scripps Howard National Spelling Bee, Scripps press release, via archive.org
  3. ^ Phinney, David (20 May 2002). Maine girl heads for spelling bee finals, Bangor Daily News
  4. ^ Toppo, Greg (31 May 2002). How do you spell winner? P-r-o-s-p-i-c-i-e-n-c-e, Free Lance Star (Associated Press)
  5. ^ MacPherson, Karen (31 May 2002). 'Pisiform' puts local girl out of U.S. spelling bee, Toledo Blade
  6. ^ (25 May 2003). Spelling bee pronouncer gets 1st word, The Columbian