Spencer Carvill of Byfield and Nathan Wallace Of Hingham Tie For Massa

PLEASANTVILLE, N.Y., March 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Spencer Carvill, a seventh grade student from Triton Middle School in Byfield and Nathan Wallace, an eighth grade student from Derby Academy in Hingham, tied for the Massachusetts state championship in the third annual Reader's Digest National Word Power Challenge(SM) Friday in Plymouth. The top 100 statewide winners competed for a trip to the finals during the state championships held in all 50 states, Washington D.C. and the Department of Defense Schools.

On April 17-19, the state champions and their teacher-escorts will travel to Walt Disney World(R) Resort, Orlando, to compete for $50,000 in college scholarships. The first place winner will receive a $25,000 college scholarship. Second and third place winners will receive college scholarships of $15,000 and $10,000. The winners will also receive Reader's Digest products for their schools.

State coordinator Pat Yournell of White Brook Middle School noted the importance of vocabulary to school and life, and was impressed with the enthusiasm of all competing students during the championship.

Since August 2004, more than 1.6 million fourth through eighth grade students have competed nationwide in the Reader's Digest National Word Power Challenge(SM). Al Roker, NBC Today show feature reporter, returns as quiz master for the championship round.

The Reader's Digest National Word Power Challenge(SM) is an educational outreach program of Reader's Digest, the most widely read magazine in the world, and the Reader's Digest Association, Inc. . Schools are encouraged to register for next year's competition at http://www.wordpowerchallenge.com/.

EDITORS NOTE: Additional information on the state championship round can be found at http://www.rd.com/nwpc (click on "State Championship Event Information").