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I as in Cretinous. By Round No. 23, Melody was holding her ground with only two other girls. Then cretinous was spelled with an e, and there was only one obstacle left between her and the $1,000 prize: plump, 13-year-old Sandra Owen of the Sugar Creek Township School at Justus, Ohio. Wilting under mounting pressure, Sandra took off her jacket for the final bout. "Afflatus," fired Pronouncer Alleman, and explained its meaning (an inspiration). "A-f—" Sandra hesitated, then tried writing it out on the stage with her right toe—"f-l-a-t-o-u-s." Ping went the punch bell. Melody got that one right, but she still had one more to go. She began impassively: "Condo" (pause), confidently rattled off the rest: "M-I-N-I-U-M." Delighted shrieks rent the auditorium as Pronouncer Alleman reached to congratulate the Bee's 29th champion.
Sitting in the second row, Natalie Sachko beamed with satisfaction at her daughter's victory. And what would Melody do with the $1,000 prize? Give 10% to her church, St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church, put the balance away for a college education (her preference: University of Pittsburgh). Why did the outnumbered girls lick the boys? Said Melody: "Boys don't concentrate as much as girls."