A Century of Spelling Excellence: Rookwood Pottery’s Special Tribute to the Scripps National Spelling Bee
Since 2019, we have had the privilege of creating the Scripps Cup, a hand-painted ceramic trophy awarded to the champion of the Scripps National Spelling Bee each year.
This year, to celebrate the Bee’s 100th anniversary, Scripps partnered with the Rookwood Pottery Custom Department to design something special for every participant: a limited-edition, honey-hued ceramic medallion, crafted by hand right here in our Cincinnati studio as a keepsake of their incredible journey and hard work.
As a company deeply rooted in tradition and craftsmanship, it’s been a joy for us to honor 100 years of the Bee in our own language: through clay, glaze, and careful hands.
The Scripps Cup Trophy: A Meaningful Design
Every year, we handcraft the Scripps Cup, the ceramic trophy awarded to the champion of the Scripps National Spelling Bee. The trophy’s design includes thoughtful elements that reflect the Bee’s history:
- An open book, symbolizing knowledge and learning
- Bees and honeycomb shapes, representing the Bee itself and the sweetness of accomplishment
- Gladiolus flowers, honoring the very first winning word of the national Bee
Each part of the design connects to the story of the Bee and the achievement of its champions. A skilled Rookwood artist carefully hand-paints each trophy—a process that takes between 12 and 16 hours—making every piece truly one of a kind.
The Centennial Medallion: A Keepsake for Participants
To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, we worked with Scripps to create a limited-edition, honey-colored ceramic medallion for every participant. Crafted by hand in our Cincinnati studio, the medallion is a way for spellers to remember their experience.
The medallion is inscribed with:
“Celebrating 100 years of giving students the words they need to shine their light on the world.”
Crafted by Hand in Cincinnati
Every piece we make involves no less than 13 pairs of hands, and this Custom project was no exception. Each medallion was carefully pressed, finished, glazed, and fired in our Cincinnati factory with the care and attention to detail that’s been our tradition since 1880.
We hope that each student sees their medallion as a meaningful reminder of all they’ve accomplished.
A Proud Cincinnati Partnership
Rookwood Pottery and the Scripps National Spelling Bee both have deep roots in Cincinnati, where each organization is proudly headquartered. We’re honored to continue this creative collaboration in the city we call home.
This project is a meaningful way for us to celebrate shared values—education, craftsmanship, and community—through the work we do every day.
Ready to Create Your Own Custom Masterpiece?
If you’re interested in handcrafted ceramic awards, trophies, or commemorative pieces that celebrate your own milestones, we’d love to bring your vision to life. Our Custom & Commemorative Department combines tradition and artistry to craft pieces that tell your unique story.