Spellbound by SCRABBLE(R): Connecticut Students Win the 2008 National School SCRABBLE...

Spellbound by SCRABBLE(R): Connecticut Students Win the 2008 National School
SCRABBLE Championship

PROVIDENCE, R.I., May 10 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Students spellbound by
the game of SCRABBLE(R) competed in the 2008 National School SCRABBLE
Championship held this weekend in Providence at the Rhode Island Convention
Center. After six rounds and countless strategic plays, returning champion
Matt Silver, 14, of Westport, Conn. and his teammate Logan Rosen defeated Joey
Krafchick, 13, of Roswell, Ga. and his teammate Dorian Hill, 13 of Tucker, Ga.
in the Championship round today, claiming the title and a $5,000 grand prize.
It's a fitting tribute to a game that's celebrating its 60th anniversary this
year.
"The National School SCRABBLE Championship brings students from all across
the country together for the love of the game," said John D. Williams, Jr.,
executive director, National SCRABBLE Association. "These kids enjoy playing
SCRABBLE because it is both challenging and fun."
During the Championship, 100 teams of students in grades five-to-eight
from 23 states competed in six rounds of play on Friday and Saturday leading
to the final match-up. The grand prize winners received a $5,000 cash prize.
The second-place team was awarded $2,000 and the third place team walked away
with $1,000. Once again, ESPN will telecast the Championship as kids head
back to school in August 2008.
Among those competing in the National School SCRABBLE Championship were
two teams from the Arizona Cactus-Pine Council Girl Scouts and two students
from the Philadelphia ASAP Program, an organization providing after-school
programs for kids of all ages.
More than one million students have played SCRABBLE in approximately
20,000 schools nationwide. This year, the National SCRABBLE Association and
the Girl Scouts of the USA announced the availability of the first ever
SCRABBLE game patch, "Words Rock." There are currently 27 Girl Scout SCRABBLE
clubs representing 19 states, and two teams participated in the National
School SCRABBLE Championship.
A family favorite since 1948, the board game is celebrating its Diamond
Anniversary and is found in one out of every three homes in America, according
to Hasbro, makers of the game in the United States and Canada. SCRABBLE is
unique because it is a game of continuous winning moments. Unlike other games
where players wait until the end of the game to find a winner, SCRABBLE
provides a great sense of accomplishment throughout the entire process. Any
time participants look at their tiles to find a word, they are immediately
rewarded, which is why kids love to play the game.
"All of the participants demonstrated a tremendous amount of passion,
enthusiasm and sportsmanship which make the Championship a fun event for
everyone involved," said Jay Bruns, director of marketing for SCRABBLE, Hasbro
Games. "This program is a testament to the unifying power that a fun game
like SCRABBLE can have on people of all ages."
The National School SCRABBLE Championship is underwritten by Hasbro. For
more information about the SCRABBLE game or other tournaments and clubs around
the country, visit www.scrabbleassociation.com.
About Hasbro
Hasbro (NYSE: HAS) is a worldwide leader in children's and family leisure
time entertainment products and services, including the design, manufacture
and marketing of games and toys ranging from traditional to high-tech. Both
internationally and in the U.S., its PLAYSKOOL, TONKA, MILTON BRADLEY, PARKER
BROTHERS, TIGER and WIZARDS OF THE COAST brands and products provide the
highest quality and most recognizable play experiences in the world. SCRABBLE,
the distinctive game board and letter tiles and all associated logos are
trademarks of Hasbro in the United States and Canada and are used with
permission.
Contact:
Crystal Schweim Jenifer Slaw
Carmichael Lynch Spong Carmichael Lynch Spong
(612) 375-8505 (212) 414-7172
crystal.schweim@clynch.com jenifer.slaw@hasbro.com

SOURCE The National SCRABBLE Association

Crystal Schweim, +1-612-375-8505, crystal.schweim@clynch.com, or Jenifer Slaw,
+1-212-414-7172, jenifer.slaw@hasbro.com, both of Carmichael Lynch Spong, for
The National SCRABBLE Association