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