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National Spelling Bee
Registration

Register now for the 2013 AARP National Spelling Bee. The Bee is Friday, July 12, and Saturday, July 13, in Cheyenne, Wyo.

Open to anyone 50 or older, the contest will entertain and challenge you. Need more motivation? You'll meet like-minded people, test your orthographic skills against some of the best spellers in the nation and compete for a top prize. Register now

Not sure you're ready for our National Spelling Bee? Discuss spelling, word games and the Bee with other readers on our message board. Do

Read the 2013 Rules and Regulations »

About The
AARP National Spelling Bee

The AARP National Spelling Bee was created in 1996 by a group of AARP members in Cheyenne, Wyo., who wanted a fun way to challenge their peers to keep their minds sharp as they age. The competition has been held every year since, and always in Cheyenne. A group of dedicated volunteers select the words, write the sentences, organize and promote the event. Spellers travel from across America to showcase a lifetime of knowledge and to celebrate their years of experience.

See the AARP National Spelling Bee in action on YouTube or check out the AARP National Spelling Bee Facebook Page.

2012
Highlights

Michael Petrina, winner of the 2012 AARp Spelling Bee

Retired Attorney Becomes First Repeat Champion

Michael Petrina Jr., 67, netted his second win at the AARP National Spelling Bee, correctly spelling the word "Rhizoctonia."

Prepare & Study

2012 Word List

Want to see what words are used in the AARP National Spelling Bee? Here's a look at the 294 words used in 2012. read

Word of the Day

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day gives you interesting words to learn every day! Soon you'll be the consummate wordsmith. Receive daily emails now. Do

Boost Your Brain!

We've got lots of fun activities, interesting articles and advice to help you sharpen your mind! Let the brain-teasing begin! Go

Helpful
Resources

How to Tweet During the Spelling Bee

By Don Willmott

Which words stumped the contestants? Who made it through to the next round? Keep up with the AARP Spelling Bee by Twittering. Don't know how? This article will help you learn. Read

Plan Your Trip to the AARP Spelling Bee

Find out about all the events associated with the AARP National Spelling Bee in Cheyenne, Wyo. read

Previous
Winners

2012

2012 Highlights

Results from the 2012 AARP National Spelling Bee

All 48 spellers took a 100-word written spelling test in the morning with 16 spellers achieving a score of 82 or better to advance to the afternoon oral spelling rounds, which lasted for 47 rounds. In all, 294 words were used during competition August 11, 2012.

Here is the list of finalists in order of how they placed. “T” indicates a tie.

1. Michael Petrina, Jr., 67, from Arlington, Virginia

2. Larry Grossman, 60, from Northwood, North Dakota

3. Tony Johnson, 59, from LaGrange, Georgia

4. Robert Moy, 55, from New York City, New York

5. James Sherry, 70, from Troy, Alabama

T6. Mary Ann Fenske, 64, from Wichita, Kansas

T6. David Millard, 61, from Austin, Texas

T6. Phyllis Werness, 65, from Minneapolis, Minnesota

T7. Valerie Meyers, 58, from Mission, Kansas

T7. Kim Worrell, 62, from Rainier, Oregon

T8. Jim Allen, 50, from Cheyenne, Wyoming

T8. Catherine Bergin, 51, from Pueblo, Colorado

T8. Roxana Bradley, 53, from Albuquerque, New Mexico

T8. Kate Karp, 64, from Long Beach, California

T8. Ron Lewis, 64, from Missouri City, Texas

T8. Joan Risley, 67, from Scottsdale, Arizona

2011

2011 Winner

Tony Johnson might have been No. 7 but luck had nothing to do with capturing the 2011 AARP National Spelling Bee. Watch

2011 Spelling Bee Highlights

View a slide show highlighting moments from the 2011 spelling bee and see the list of finalists. Watch

2010

2010 Video and Finalists

After 67 rounds and 479 words, Scott Firebaugh, 56, of Knoxville, Tenn., was the last man standing to win the 2010 AARP National Spelling Bee. Watch

2010 Photos

View a slideshow of moments from the 2010 spelling bee and see the list of finalists. Watch

2009

2009 Video Highlights

With the audience biting their nails, Michael Petrina Jr. of Arlington, Va., and Scott Firebaugh of Knoxville, Tenn., battled dramatically before one of them finally missed a word in the 46th round. See the winning moment. Watch

2009 Photos and Finalists

2009 National Spelling Bee Photos and Finalists

Spellers travel from across the country to compete in the AARP National Spelling Bee, which is open to anyone age 50 or older. See some snapshots of the action at the annual contest. Watch

2008

2008 Photos and Finalists

Larry Grossman's high-school math students helped him study for and win the 2008 Bee. If Grossman missed a word, he bought the student a can of pop. He learned quickly. See photo highlights and a list of all finalists. Watch

2007

1. Susan Hartner, 62, Hillsboro, Oregon (winning word: bharal)
2. Randy Hilfman, 56, Woodinville, Wash. (vizsla)
3. Michael Petrina Jr., 62, Arlington, Va. (towhee)
4. Marlene Harry, Brownsburg, Ind. (gluhwein)
5. Rodney Murray, 53, Middletown, Del. (arrhythmia)
6. Joe Dickmann, 63, Richmond Heights, Mo. (zoisite)
7. Steve Dornseif, 58, Fort Collins, Colo. (paresthesia)
8. L. Kaleo Elia, 59, Salt Lake City, Utah (lithotripsy)
9. Terry Harsney, Fairlawn, Ohio (alula)
10. Bill Long, 54, Salem, Ore. (troupial)
11. James Pearce, 60, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (verruca)
12. Darrell Noe, 64, Arlington, Texas (chukar)
13. Larry Grossman, 54, Northwood, N.D. (urticaria)
14. Mary McClintock, 62, Fort Collins, Colo., (corrigendum)
15. Mary Ann Hungerford, 55, Granville, Ohio (hornswoggle)

2006

1. Hal Prince, 54, Palo Alto, Calif.
2. Darrell Noe, 63, Arlington, Texas (scorpaenid)
3. Bill Long, 53, Salem, Ore. (tryptophan)
4. Tom Lavery, 62, Akron, Ohio (crossopterygian)
5. Nancy Leasure, 67, Danville, Calif. (hamantaschen)
6. Mary Kay Hemmer, 57, Cheyenne, Wyo. (zucchetto)
7. Linda Goertz, 58, Portland, Ore. (exsiccate)
8. Polly Stewart, 62, Salt Lake City, Utah (younker)
9. Julie Golden, 66, Portland, Ore. (komatik)
10. Scott Firebaugh, 52, Kokomo, Ind. (phillumenist)
11. Lenore Collins, 66, Mentor, Ohio (oligophagous)
12. Rev. Steve Hislop, 59, Grand Junction, Colo. (myrmidons)
13. Judy Parsons, 60, York, Penn. (parthenogenesis)
14. Jason Blake, 67, Roslyn, Wash. (trousseaux)
15. Linda Ott, 57, Fort Collins, Colo. (rickettsia)
16. Reta Lorenz, 86, Laramie, Wyo. (trichotillomania)

2005

1. David Riddle
2. Bill Long (cappelletti)
3. LaRae Lawson (passementerie)
4. Patricia Hanson (phillumenist)
5. Lenore Collins (urceolate)
6. Charles Underwood (kakiemon)
7. Debra Griffin (opprobrium)
8. Sue Carlass (pichlorohydrin)
9. Debra Rotroff (tarsometatarsus)
10. Brian Greene (atherosclerosis)
11. Mary Kay Hemmer (frugivorous)
12. Ruth Wright (epistemology)
13. Andrea Coelho (entelechy)
14. MT Casey (legerdemain)
15. John Haniszewski (schizophrenia)
16. Laura Steele (quercitron)