Scrabble News: Under a spell: DeSoto Scrabble tourney adds up in fun

From March 2, 2011: Under a spell: DeSoto Scrabble tourney adds up in funThe Commercial Appeal, Memphis Tennessee

They were off and running with four-letter words like "news" and "goat." But that was before they realized that more points came with "scrub," "crime" and "offer."

And kids quickly realized that the appropriate wooden squares to spell "wax" or "squid" could lead to a triple-word score.

It was the official DeSoto County Schools Scrabble Tournament at the BankPlus Training Center in Southaven. Some 200 third-graders in the Spotlight program competed on Tuesday, while about 300 second-graders will match wits today.

"We want to take academic skills and put them in a natural environment," DCS Executive Director of Leadership Development Emily Nelson said. "The parents want these type of experiences for their kids."

The event is in its fourth year. In 2008, Hernando Hills Elementary and Lewisburg Elementary began the festivities with a crosstown rivalry in the Hernando Public Library. Southaven's Greenbrook Elementary joined in 2009, and the three schools played the popular board game at the Hernando Hills cafeteria. It went countywide last year, and all but two schools were represented on Tuesday.

"We did it as a pilot," said Lewisburg teacher Amanda Ready. "We went down and visited the schools in West Mississippi because they had a Scrabble tournament.

"The Spotlight second- and third-graders don't have a chance to compete against each other until the fourth grade, when they can try out for the chess and knowledge bowl teams."

Every team of two classmates played two games Tuesday, each lasting 45 minutes. The various winners would walk out with trophies and ribbons. This year's sponsor was Hernando attorney George B. Ready.

"It's amazing to see everything come together," said Hernando Hills teacher Kaye Roehm. "It helps the kids learn how to do problem-solving and decision-making; using everything from math skills to vocabulary.

"We can teach them all the skills in the world, but if we don't teach them how to get along with the people in the world and how to work together, then we've done them a disservice. So this is great for them."