PAWTUCKET, R.I.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--After two days of Triple Word Scores and strategic SCRABBLE plays, students Noah Kalus from New Paltz, N.Y. and Zach Ansell from Los Angeles, C.A. defeated more than 55 teams to take home the coveted Championship trophy, title, and $10,000 grand prize at the 13th annual North American School SCRABBLE Championship. The tournament gathered the top 4th- 8th grade SCRABBLE players from the U.S. and Canada for two days of consecutive, competitive SCRABBLE play at Hasbro Headquarters in Pawtucket, R.I.
“The SCRABBLE game has a diverse, passionate community of players and it was an honor for Hasbro to host this year’s group of incredibly talented student competitors,” said Jonathan Berkowitz, vice president of marketing, Hasbro Gaming. “We thank all of the participating teams, their coaches and families and congratulate our champions on their sportsmanship and skills.”
Noah and Zach, whose team name is East-West Word Wizards, defeated challengers Matias Shundi and Javier Contreras from Chapel Hill, N.C. with a score of 587-331. More than 20 words were played during the final game including DODO, TORA, EEK, LOUIE, AJIS, and KA. Living on opposite coasts, Noah and Zach met through their current coach, Cornelia Guest, and played SCRABBLE online together before teaming up in person for the first time at the 2014 School SCRABBLE Championship.
Participating sponsors of the North American School SCRABBLE Championship include Electronic Arts Inc., Merriam-Webster, and Intel, which also provided a Lenovo Horizon 2s Portable All-In-One device, powered by Intel®, to the Championship winners in celebration of their victory. To add to the excitement, a live broadcast via Mind Sports International’s interactive RFID SCRABBLE system was available online allowing those at home to follow each tile placement and score breakdown. The broadcast featured exciting, play-by-play commentary from competitive SCRABBLE players Kevin Belinkoff, Will Anderson, and current National SCRABBLE Champion Conrad Bassett-Bouchard.
“As someone who has mentored younger SCRABBLE players for years and as a fellow competitive SCRABBLE player, it's always exciting to see a new generation fall in love with and compete at this game,” said Conrad Bassett-Bouchard. “SCRABBLE beautifully blends both verbal and math skills, while also fostering a vibrant community representing people of all ages and walks of life, and it was great to be a part of this year’s Championship.”
For more than two decades, the School SCRABBLE program has provided students, teachers, and parents a fun and social way to expand upon classroom curriculum and strengthen participants’ verbal skills, math skills, strategic thinking, and teamwork. The SCRABBLE game, invented by Alfred Mosher Butts in 1933, is one of the world’s favorite word games and is available in several digital and physical formats including a JUNIOR edition for young players, the SCRABBLE TWIST unit available this fall for games on-the-go, and digital versions including SCRABBLE for iPad, iPhone and Android from Electronic Arts.
The North American School SCRABBLE Championship is organized by the North American SCRABBLE Players Association (NASPA), the nonprofit organization licensed by Hasbro, Inc. (NASDAQ: HAS) to administer competitive play in the United States and Canada. For additional information, visit the NASPA website at scrabbleplayers.org. For more details on the North American School SCRABBLE Championship and the School SCRABBLE Program, visit schoolscrabble.us and Hasbro.com/SCRABBLE.
About Hasbro
Hasbro (NASDAQ:HAS) is a global company committed to Creating the World’s Best Play Experiences, by leveraging its beloved brands, including LITTLEST PET SHOP, MAGIC: THE GATHERING, MONOPOLY, MY LITTLE PONY, NERF, PLAY-DOH, TRANSFORMERS, and premier partner brands. From toys and games, television programming, motion pictures, digital gaming and a comprehensive lifestyle licensing program, Hasbro fulfills the fundamental need for play and connection for children and families around the world. The Company’s Hasbro Studios creates entertainment brand-driven storytelling across mediums, including television, film and more. Through the company's commitment to corporate social responsibility, including philanthropy, Hasbro is helping to build a safe and sustainable world and to positively impact the lives of millions of children and families every year. Learn more at www.hasbro.com and follow us on Twitter (@Hasbro & @HasbroNews).
SCRABBLE, the associated logo, the design of the distinctive SCRABBLE brand game board, and the distinctive letter tile designs are trademarks of Hasbro in the United States and Canada. © 2015 Hasbro. All Rights Reserved.
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