The larger-than-life 10 X 10 game was played by four teams of students, teachers and community members on the floor of the school gymnasium.

Prior to the fun, several Scrabble players offered some insight into the game and its challenges.

EG sixth grader Savanna Spice will compete in the national competition for the first time Friday.

"I'm excited. I can't wait. I'm looking forward to everything," she said with a grin.

Eighth grader Avery James was chosen as an alternate this time around.

"This will be a new experience for me. I'm really excited to be going," James said.

Both girls admitted to being a bit nervous about the flight there.

"I have never flown before," they both said one after the other.

While in flight, they'll get in some last minute practice by using a travel Scrabble board.

Eighth grader Tanner Clark is a Scrabble pro.

Clark and Chelsey Bailey are the 2008 State Scrabble Champs and will team up again at nationals.

He explained, "It's (Scrabble) a fun opportunity and it helps with math and English. You have to spell and add to play."

Zach Bruner and Brody Martin will also team up at nationals.

They are confident in their ability to perform.

"I'm not really (nervous) because we expect the competition to be good," Bruner explained.

Sixth graders Nicole Hudson and Peyton Gilliatt have yet to compete at the nationals but have experienced the state Scrabble competition.

Both students were introduced to Scrabble as fifth graders.

Gilliatt explained, "We were in Mrs. (Dinah) Fuller's home room. We played every Wednesday."

That's when both girls decided to join the EG Scrabble Club-- which is sponsored by Fuller.

Playing Scrabble has broadened their vocabulary.

"You learn new words and you try to memorize them and learn as much as you can," Gilliatt said.

The 2008 National School Scrabble Championship is set for May 9 and 10 in Providence, Rhode Island.

Seven EG students were chosen to compete in this year's event. The group will be chaperoned by Fuller as well as second grade teacher Matt Roberts and Bloomfield Library Director John Helling.

The group heads out bright and early Thursday morning and returns late on Sunday.