LG U.S. Texting Championships15 year old wins $50,000

The LG U. S. National Texting Championships started 3 years ago as a promotional item for LG phones. This year, over 250,000 participated in qualifying rounds to compete for the grand prize of $50,000.

 While the original text-ins may have been simply about speed, later qualifying rounds were not. 21 finalists texted in New York while running on treadmills, being heckled, and even blind-folded. All phones had to be LG, and iPhones were not allowed.

Crowd spirit was intense, with past champions getting the crowd riled up. After 5 rounds, only two girls were left, a 14 year old and 15 year old.

The final round consisted of a head to head speed texting of this modified Zippity-do-dah chorus:

“Zippity Dooo Dahh Zippity Ayy…MY oh MY, what a wonderful day! Plenty of sunshine Comin’ my way….Zippitty Do Dah Zippity Aay! WondeRful Feeling Wonderful day!”

Kate Moore, of Des Moines, Idaho, pressed send first to beat out her younger competitor for the prize. Her mom called, not texted, her dad back home with the good news.