“Fun”Raiser Competition Helping Send Hampton Bays Middle Schoolers To North American School Scrabble Championship

Once again, members of the Hampton Bays Middle School Scrabble Club will make their way to Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts to compete at the 2017 North American School Scrabble Championship (NASSC). But, before the students make the trip this April, the Club is hosting their 7th Annual Scrabble “Fun”Raiser tournament on Sunday, March 5th at the Hampton Bays Middle School Cafeteria from 12 to 4:30 p.m. Teams of two are invited to participate in the fundraiser that will support the journey to Gillette Stadium.

“For more than 17 years, Hampton Bays students have been studying word lists, learning strategies for making the best plays and practicing several times a week as they prepare for national level competition,” shared Kathy Hummel, who coaches the students. Last year, the teams finished 33rd, 73rd and 74th in North America.

The Hampton Bays Scrabble Team members include 8th graders Holly Anderson, Tara Brochu, Shania Pierce and Maddy Cuba, 7th grader RaSaan Ayala of Westhampton Beach Middle School, 6th graders Christian Pensa and Raphael Dominguez, and 5th grader Matthew Papajohn. “This is Anderson’s third trip to the NASSC and the second for Brochu, Pierce and Pensa,” Hummel explained.

Four teams of 4th and 5th graders from the Bridgehampton Child Care Center will join the Hampton Bays Teams at the North American School Scrabble Championship.

While in normal Scrabble when you get stuck you might have to give in and throw down a two letter word that you’re really not impressed by, this tournament is upping the ante by allowing competitors to take advantage of a special advantage. “Participants will play in teams, be able to buy a vowel or sneak a peek in the dictionary, and enjoy a lunch of soup, sandwiches and salad,” noted Hummel.

The “Fun”Raiser is open to teams of two, which can be two students, two adults or a combination, who will play three games. The event is open to anyone in 4th grade or older, and if you come partner less, you’ll be paired with another attendee.

Those who pre-register will be privy to special word lists and playing tips.

Admission is $15 per person/$30 per team in advance or $20 per person/$40 per team at the door. The entry fee includes lunch.

Hampton Bays Middle School is located at 70 Ponquogue Avenue in Hampton Bays. To register, contact Kathy Hummel at [email protected].