56-year-old North Dakota Native Wins AARP The Magazine's National Spelling Bee
for 'Word Nerds' Age 50+
CHEYENNE, Wyo., June 14 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- AARP The Magazine, the
definitive voice for 50+ Americans and the world's largest-circulation
magazine with more than 34 million readers, today crowned Larry Grossman, age
56, of Northwood, N.D., the winner of AARP The Magazine's National Spelling
Bee for people age 50+. Grossman won the championship by correctly spelling
DEBOUCH.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070209/NYF043LOGO )
Held earlier today at the Little America Hotel and Resort in Cheyenne,
Wyo., 49 competitors ages 51 to 75 from 24 states competed in AARP The
Magazine's National Spelling Bee. Grossman walked away with $500 in prizes.
Michael Petrina, Jr., from Arlington, Va., finished in second place ahead of
Scott Firebaugh from Knoxville, Tenn., who finished third. A complete list of
results can be found online along with video footage of the competition at
www.aarp.org/spellingbee.
"We're thrilled that so many people from across the country came out for
this year's competition and want to congratulate Larry for coming out ahead of
the pack," said Steve Slon, editor of AARP The Magazine. "Our Spelling Bee
has continued to grow in popularity since it was introduced by AARP members 13
years ago and the cognitive and social benefits of exercising your mind as you
age make all of today's participants winners."
In the AARP The Magazine-sponsored bee, the 50+ aged spellers were allowed
to miss three words before being knocked out of the competition. The day began
with a 100-word written competition, narrowing the field to the top 16, who
went on to compete in the oral spelling finals.
AARP The Magazine's National Spelling Bee, formerly the AARP National
Senior Spelling Bee, was founded in 1996 by a group of Cheyenne AARP members
who wanted to challenge the 50+ community to keep their minds sharp as they
age. Over the years, it has grown into a highly competitive and challenging
event attracting adult spellers from all over the country and Canada. It is
open to anyone age 50 or older, except previous winners, and is supported by
NRTA: AARP's Educator Community and the Staying Sharp program.
"This year's group of spellers were the most impressive I've seen," said
AARP Wyoming Director Rita Inoway. "It's great to see so many people dedicated
to keeping their minds sharp and taking on the challenge of participating in
the bee."
The final 16 competitors in this year's competition finished in the
following order:
1. Larry Grossman - Northwood, N.D. - Age 56
2. Michael Petrina, Jr. - Arlington, Va. - Age 63
3. Scott Firebaugh - Knoxville, Tenn. - Age 54
4. Norman Zucker - Sebastopol, Calif. - Age 61
5. Bill Long - Salem, Ore. - Age 56
6. Randy Hilfman - Woodinville, Wash. - Age 58
7. Kent Stockton - Riverton, Wyo. - Age 66
7. Sandra Marvin - Englewood, Colo. - Age 60
7. Nancy Freidlander - San Diego, Calif. - Age 61
7. Marlene Harry - Brownsburg, Ind. - Age 56
7. Kate Karp - Long Beach, Calif. - Age 59
8. Tony Suschil - Hudson, Ohio - Age 63
8. Pam Leininger - Durango, Colo. - Age 61
About AARP The Magazine
With more than 34 million readers nationwide, AARP The Magazine
(www.aarpmagazine.org) is the world's largest circulation magazine and the
definitive lifestyle publication for Americans 50+. Reaching over 22.5 million
households, AARP The Magazine delivers comprehensive content through in-depth
celebrity interviews, health and fitness features, consumer interest
information and tips, book and movie reviews and financial guidance. Published
bimonthly in print and continually online, AARP The Magazine was founded in
1958 and is the flagship title of AARP Publications.
About AARP
AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization that helps people
50+ have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and
affordable to them and society as a whole. AARP does not endorse candidates
for public office or make contributions to either political campaigns or
candidates. We produce AARP The Magazine, the definitive voice for 50+
Americans and the world's largest-circulation magazine with over 34 million
readers; AARP Bulletin, the go-to daily news source for AARP's 39 million
members and Americans 50+; AARP Segunda Juventud, the only bilingual U.S.
publication dedicated exclusively to the 50+ Hispanic community; and our
website, AARP.org. AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides
security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support
from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. We have staffed offices in
all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin
Islands.
SOURCE AARP
Michelle Alvarez, AARP, +1-202-434-2555, malvarez@aarp.org; Meghan Holston,
Coburn Communication, +1-212-382-4450, Meghan.Holston@coburnww.com
