1994: Eric Shields / Franklin County, KY
“succumbence” – the act or process of yielding to a superior strength

1995: Tania James / Jefferson County, KY
“spinescent” – tapering to a sharp, rigid point

1996: Sarah Seelig / Jefferson County, KY
“crescendo” – swelling in volume of sound

1997: David Mandel-Anthony / Fayette County, KY
“stratose” – arranged in layers

1998: Christie Baugher / Floyd County, IN
“tumid” – marked by swelling

1999: Kyra Davies / Fayette County, KY
“ennoble” – to elevate in degree or excellence

2000: Seth Stogsdill / Lincoln County, KY
“parapet” – a rampart raised upon or above the main wall in a permanent fortification

2001: James Croushorn / Harlan County, KY
“Sagittarius” – the ninth sign of the zodiac

2002: John Tamplin / Jefferson County, KY
“Guernsey” – one of a breed of dairy cattle originally raised on the English Channel island of Guernsey

2003:  John Tamplin / Jefferson County, KY
“idiosyncratic” – a habit or mannerism particular to an individual.

2004:  John Tamplin / Jefferson County, KY
“pansil” – a Buddhist rite of ceremony before meetings.

2005: John Tamplin / Jefferson County, KY
“chatelaine” – a clasp or chain worn at the waist for holding keys, a purse or a watch.

2006: John Tamplin / Jefferson County, KY
“funambulist” – one who performs on a tightrope or a slack rope.

2007: Macy Purcell / Grayson County, KY
“symbiosis” – the living together of two dissimilar organisms

2008: Joshua Caplinger / Carter County, KY
“eucrasia” – a normal state of health

2009: Priyanka Sheth / Warren County, KY
“regime” – a mode or system of government

2010: Emily Keaton / Pike County, KY
“sclerosis” – a hardening of tissue or other anatomical features

2011: Emily Keaton / Pike County, KY
“ankylosaur” – an armor-plated dinosaur

2012: Emily Keaton / Pike County, KY
“oppugn” – to fight against or call into question

2013: Emily Keaton / Pike County, KY
“corvee” – labor exacted by a local authority for little or no pay or instead of taxes and used especially in the maintenance of roads

2014: Paul Keaton / Pike County, KY
“chignon” – a roll or knot of hair worn at the back of the head or a especially at the nape of the neck

2015:  Paul Keaton / Pike County, KY
“insentient” – without sensation or consciousness

2016:  Tara Singh / Jefferson County Private Schools, KY
“Eponym” – (of a person) giving their name to something

2017:  Tara Singh / Jefferson County Private Schools, KY
“Gloxinia” – Any of several tropical South American plans of the genus Sinningia

2018: Tara Singh/Jefferson County Private Schools, KY
“Rathskeller” – A restaurant or tavern, usually below street level, that serves beer