56-year-old North Dakota Native Wins AARP The Magazine's National Spelling Bee for 'Word Nerds' Age 50+

15 Jun 2008 01:41 Africa/Lagos


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.


Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070209/NYF043LOGO
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: AARP

CONTACT: Michelle Alvarez, AARP, +1-202-434-2555, malvarez@aarp.org;
Meghan Holston, Coburn Communication, +1-212-382-4450,
Meghan.Holston@coburnww.com


Web site: AARP MAGAZINE'S NATIONAL SPELLING BEE
AARP MAGAZINE
AARP