Tony Johnson From LaGrange, Georgia Wins AARP's National Spelling Bee

CHEYENNE, Wyo., June 18, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Earlier today, Tony Johnson, 58, from LaGrange, GA was crowned champion of the 2011 AARP National Spelling Bee held in Cheyenne, WY and walked away with a $5,000 grand prize and a 5-year AARP membership. Johnson, a practicing psychologist, correctly spelled "uakari" in the 39th round of the competition that began with 40 spellers from across America. Johnson's studying regimen for the last year: "I systematically went through the dictionary from A to Z."

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Michael Petrina, Jr., 66, from Arlington, VA missed "uncinariasis" to place second, taking home a check for $500 and a 2-year AARP membership. Third place with a prize of $250 and a 1-year AARP membership went to Scott Firebaugh, 57, from Knoxville, TN, who incorrectly spelled the word "aphaeretic."  Spellers ranged in age from 50 to 81.

The AARP National Spelling Bee is open to anyone age 50 or older. It was created in 1996 by a group of AARP members in Cheyenne, WY who wanted a fun way to challenge their peers to keep their minds sharp as they age. The competition has been held in Cheyenne every year since.

The oral spelling rounds of the AARP National Spelling Bee were broadcast live online at www.aarp.org/spellingbee, where an archived video of the event and a complete list of words used in the bee can be found.

The 2012 AARP National Spelling Bee will be held Saturday, June 16, 2012, at Little America Hotel in Cheyenne, WY. Complete registration information is available at www.aarp.org/spellingbee or by calling 1-877-926-8300.

Additional finalists in today's spelling competition include:

4. Norman Zucker, 64, from Petaluma, CA
5. Susan Hartner, 66, from Hillsboro, OR
6. Robert Moy, 54, from New York, NY
7. Jim Sherry, 69, from Troy, AL
8. Roxana Bradley, 62, from Albuquerque, NM
9. Kathleen Cramm, 68, from Parker, CO
10. Ron Lewis, 63, from Missouri City, TX
11. Linda Phillips, 71, from Newport, RI
11. Marlene Harry, 59, from Brownsburg, IN
12. Curtis Beckman, 65, from Denton, TX
12. Mary Ann Fenske, 63, from Wichita, KS
12. Kate Karp, 62, from Long Beach, CA

SOURCE AARP