PROVIDENCE, R.I.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--For two talented young SCRABBLE players from New Jersey and Texas, victory is worth more than just a triple-word score; $10,000 more, to be exact. Today, Jacob Sass and Thomas Draper of Magnolia, Texas and Skillman, New Jersey, respectively, surpassed more than 65 teams to win the 12th annual National School SCRABBLE Championship, a competitive event for school aged SCRABBLE players in the United States and Canada, hosted by Hasbro, Inc. (NASDAQ: HAS). The two-day event took place at One Hasbro Place in downtown Providence, Rhode Island.
“Hasbro was thrilled to host so many talented and passionate young SCRABBLE players at this year’s National School SCRABBLE Championship,” said Karen Davis, Vice President of Community Relations at Hasbro. “We want to congratulate our champions and runners-up, as well as all the competitors who turned out for this year’s event that showcased not only their incredible SCRABBLE skills but also their great teamwork.”
Jacob Sass and Thomas Draper won six of the seven preliminary games played during the two-day tournament, racking up a combined total of 3524 points to qualify for Sunday’s final match, which they went on to win 378 to 320. Their highest scoring word during that game was delaine, which is a type of fabric, which they played for 76 points.
More than 140 SCRABBLE players in grades 4 through 8 competed in the National School SCRABBLE Championship including more than 50 returning players, playing words like insider, refract and calzones. In addition to the coveted Champion’s Trophy, Jacob Sass and Thomas Draper will split a grand prize of $10,000. Runner-up prizes were also awarded including Hasbro games and a necklace from the SCRABBLE Brand jewelry line from World Trade Jewelers.
Hasbro’s School SCRABBLE Program and the National School SCRABBLE Championship provide kids a fun and worthwhile extension of the classroom. Educators and parents have found that playing the SCRABBLE game has positively impacted kids by strengthening skills such as verbal, math, time management, strategic thinking and teamwork. The SCRABBLE game has been a family favorite since the 1930s and continues to remain relevant among competitive and casual SCRABBLE enthusiasts of all ages. Earlier this year, SCRABBLE fans chose the word ‘geocache’ to be added into the upcoming fifth edition of Merriam-Webster’s Official SCRABBLE Players Dictionary, available this August. This will be the dictionary’s first major update in nearly a decade and the first time a word has been included that was voted on by fans. The SCRABBLE game has also reached a new community of players in the digital space with many popular versions of the game including SCRABBLE for iPad, iPhone and Android from Electronic Arts.
For more information on the National School SCRABBLE Championship, visit schoolscrabble.us. Additional information on SCRABBLE is available at Hasbro.com/SCRABBLE.
To download hi-res images and b-roll footage of the National School SCRABBLE Championship, go to:
hasbrohpr.hunterpr.com
username: SchoolScrabble
password: Scrabble2014!
Hasbro, Inc. (NASDAQ:HAS) is a branded play company dedicated to fulfilling the fundamental need for play for children and families through the creative expression of the Company’s world class brand portfolio, including TRANSFORMERS, MONOPOLY, PLAY-DOH, MY LITTLE PONY, MAGIC: THE GATHERING, NERF and LITTLEST PET SHOP. From toys and games, to television programming, motion pictures, digital gaming and a comprehensive licensing program, Hasbro strives to delight its global customers with innovative play and entertainment experiences, in a variety of forms and formats, anytime and anywhere. The Company's Hasbro Studios develops and produces television programming for more than 180 territories around the world, and for the U.S. on Hub Network, part of a multi-platform joint venture between Hasbro and Discovery Communications (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK). Through the company's deep commitment to corporate social responsibility, including philanthropy, Hasbro is helping to build a safe and sustainable world for future generations and to positively impact the lives of millions of children and families every year. It has been recognized for its efforts by being named one of the "World's Most Ethical Companies" and is ranked as one of Corporate Responsibility Magazine's "100 Best Corporate Citizens." Learn more at www.hasbro.com.
SCRABBLE is a trademark of Hasbro, Inc. in the United States and Canada.
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