William Cashore, a Malvern Prep graduate, is the oldest living spelling bee champion, and still remembers the winning word seven decades later, writes Jordan Greene for People. 

The 84-year-old was just 14 when he became the 27th Scripps National Spelling Bee Champion on May 30, 1954. He was a Malvern Prep student at the time. 

“It gave me some confidence, for example, in things like public speaking,” he said. “It was always a point of pride for my family, but nothing that we made a big deal of.” 

Cashore remembers that it was the word “transept,” referring to the aisle going between the pews and the altar in a church, that brought him the win. 

“I knew that word but had never been asked to spell it,” he said. 

The retired neonatologist living in Rhode Island is now celebrating the 70th anniversary of his win. 

His story was originally uncovered by Esteban Touma, Babbel’s linguistic and cultural expert. 

“We were proud to have found William, and grateful that he was happy to share his memories of his unique moment of national fame at the 1954 Spelling Bee,” said Touma. “Seventy years on, William’s insights are as relevant as ever.” 

Read more about William Cashore’s winning moment of the Scripps National Spelling Bee in People. 

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