SALISBURY — The 21st Annual Scrabble Scramble, hosted by Trinity Oaks, brought together word enthusiasts from across the community for a day of team Scrabble. With competition and a lively atmosphere, this year’s event showcased a love for language while raising support for the Rowan County Literacy Council.

A total of 10 teams represented various community organizations, including Trinity Oaks, Rowan Public Library, Carter Law Group, Salisbury Rotary, Whitley Jordan Inge and Rary, P.A., the Rowan County Literacy Council, Wallace and Graham and RCCC. New teams joined the fray, adding fresh energy to the competition, while seasoned veterans returned to defend their titles.

After three fast-paced rounds of play, the results revealed a showdown.

The Bookend Friends from the Rowan Public Library led after the first round, scoring points with words like “jurisprudence,” “zygotes” and “lexicon.” However, as the rounds progressed, the team Zing Dynasty — featuring previous executive director Laurel Harry — surged ahead with a remarkable second-round score of 1,423 points, using words like “decibels” and “juxtapositional.”

But it was the Salisbury Rotary team that ultimately claimed victory in the final round. Comprised of notable community figures — including attorney Rocky Cabagnot, Mayor Karen Alexander, Rotary President Karen Hobson, Dr. Vergel Lattimore from Hood Theological Seminary, and real estate agent Daniel Almazan — the team amassed an impressive total of 2,856 points. Their winning words included “psychoanalyzing,” “paratroopers” and “widening.”

The event also highlighted tremendous community support, with six volunteers from Catawba College serving as judges, along with five RCLC tutors and six board members participating as players and volunteers. Their dedication underscored the spirit of collaboration that characterizes the Scrabble Scramble.

The Rowan County Literacy Council expressed gratitude for the 27 raffle items donated by community organizations, highlighting the generous support that helps advance literacy initiatives. Christina Rary the Rowan County Literacy Council director, added, “The RCLC community was proud to raise over $12,000 to continue providing tutoring for youth and adults at no cost. We are proud to stand alongside our teams, sponsors, and volunteers as we work to create pathways for literacy in the Rowan-Salisbury community.”

The day’s success was made possible through the dedication of sponsors, including Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Whitley Jordan Inge and Rary, P.A., Daniel Wallace, Donald P. Doering, Susie and Carl Ritchie, Dyke and Debra Messinger, Allison and Mark Doby, Laurel and Kevin Harry and Novant Health.

Trinity Oaks, which has won the competition 10 times since 2011, continues to play a pivotal role in this community event. With previous winners like the Salisbury Post in 2004 and Friends of the Library in 2005, Scrabble Scramble remains a highlight of the local calendar.

As this year’s competition concluded, participants and spectators alike left with a renewed appreciation for the power of words and the importance of literacy in our community. The Rowan County Literacy Council is dedicated to providing free tutoring to adults and youth in the community who need to improve basic literacy, master English as a second language, study for the GED, or prepare to take the citizenship exam. For those inspired to make a difference, whether by enrolling as a student or becoming a tutor, visit www.rcliteracy.org or call 704-216-8266. Together, we can build a brighter future through the gift of literacy.