Al Roker Returns as Host of 4th Annual Reader's Digest National Word Power Challenge(SM)

Al Roker Returns as Host of 4th Annual Reader's Digest National Word Power Challenge(SM)

Universal Orlando's Portofino Bay Hotel Named Site of Finals

Middle School Students Compete for $50,000 In College Scholarships

BIC Sponsors State & National Championships

PLEASANTVILLE, N.Y., March 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Al Roker, NBC Today Show co-host and feature reporter, will again lead the national championship round as quizmaster for the fourth annual Reader's Digest National Word Power Challenge(SM), an educational outreach program of Reader's Digest magazine. The Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando(R), A Loews Hotel, is the official hotel of the Challenge and a sponsor of the championship to be held at Universal Studios, where the state champions will compete for $50,000 in college scholarships.

Last year more than 1.6 million 4th through 8th grade students participated in the competition designed to improve their vocabulary skills. In March, the top 100 6th, 7th and 8th grade winners will compete at the state level for a trip to the finals.

BIC, a leading international distributor of stationery products in more than 160 countries worldwide, is a sponsor of the state and national championships.

"The Word Power Challenge provides students with essential building blocks for effective communications -- and a great vocabulary boosts reading comprehension and improves test scores," said Kathleen Bordelon, executive director of the Reader's Digest National Word Power Challenge.

State Champions and their teacher-escorts win an all-expense-paid trip to the Portofino Bay Hotel for the opening round of competition on Monday, April 24. The top ten finalists will compete in the championship round on Tuesday, April 25. 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, respectively.

A television special based on the Reader's Digest National Word Power Challenge will be produced by Al Roker Entertainment, Inc. and will be broadcast on NBC stations in May, 2006.

BIC

For more than 50 years, BIC has honored the tradition of providing high-quality, affordable products to consumers everywhere. Through this unwavering dedication, BIC has become one of the most recognized brands in the world. The company values the hard work and dedication of America's teachers and their students. It is for this reason BIC has chosen to sponsor the Reader's Digest National Word Power Challenge. For more information on BIC, visit http://www.bicworld.com/.

Portofino Bay Hotel

The 750-room Portofino Bay Hotel opened in September 1999 as the premier luxury property at Universal Orlando Resort, offering the utmost in European style and elegance. Complete with cobblestone streets, outdoor cafes and trompe l'oeil painting, the hotel is a re-creation of the famed Mediterranean seaside village of Portofino, Italy. Portofino Bay Hotel is a AAA Four Diamond hotel and has received recognition from Travel & Leisure and Conde Nast Traveler as one of the best hotels in the world.

Universal Orlando Resort

Universal Orlando Resort includes two dramatically distinct and adjacent, theme parks: the Universal Studios motion picture- and television-based theme park and Islands of Adventure, Orlando's most thrilling and exhilarating theme park. Universal Orlando Resort also includes CityWalk, a 30-acre dining, shopping and live-entertainment venue as well as three premier on-site Loews hotels and world-class film and television production facilities.

Reader's Digest

Based on the popular "Word Power" feature in Reader's Digest, the most widely read magazine in the world, the Reader's Digest National Word Power Challenge is an educational outreach program of Reader's Digest Association, Inc. (NYSE:RDA). Schools are encouraged to enroll now for next year's competition at http://www.wordpowerchallenge.com/.

Source: Reader's Digest

CONTACT: Howard Greene, Amy Trotta, +1-516-825-0400, GreenePR@aol.com,
both of Greene Inc., both for Reader's Digest

Web site: http://www.rd.com/
http://www.wordpowerchallenge.com/
http://www.bicworld.com/

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