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Do you make every word count?
As Pioneer’s IT support tech, Nate Worthy spends a lot of time helping staff storytellers find and fix software and hardware glitches. But his love of wordplay makes him a great fit for our team — and helped him win $1,000 in April.
“25 Words or Less” is a nationally broadcast game show hosted by Meredith Vieira. Two teams, led by a celebrity guest, compete to guess a list of words based on fewer and fewer clues.
“The show challenges participants to think quickly and communicate effectively, making it not only entertaining but also a great exercise in concise communication,” Nate explains.
As a longtime fan, he submitted an online request to be on the show as a “superfan.” He appeared April 11, 2024, on Episode 132. The teams were led by Ricki Lake (“The Ricki Lake Show,” “Under the Christmas Tree”) and actor Jaleel White (“Family Matters,” “Hustle,” “The Flip Side”). Nate is introduced at the 8:55 minute mark, and he appears several times in the show.
During the half-hour show, teams compete to see who can guess a set of words or phrases with the fewest number of words. At the end of the show one team enters the Money Round, where they have one minute and 25 words to guess 10 words or phrases. If the team wins, they earn $10,000 and the week’s superfan wins $1,000.
“Clear communication helps avoid misunderstandings and ensures everyone is on the same page, which is vital for teamwork and collaboration,” Nate says. “In my position as Pioneer’s IT Systems Technician, clear communication can help you convey technical information effectively to your colleagues and management, enhancing productivity and collaboration within your team.”
While Nate watched, Team Jaleel correctly guessed these words with three words to spare:
- New (opposite old)
- Wealthy (opposite poor)
- Cost (synonym price)
- Course (golf field)
- Flower (rose, dandelion)
- May (March, April)
- Rice (red beans and)
- Hurricane (weather, Katrina)
- Chapter (book part)
- Scale (weigh yourself on this)
“I think Nate might be the happiest of everybody! He’s having such a good time at home,” Meredith says after the team won $10,000 and Nate won $1,000. “We’re channeling your spirit, Nate!”
“I enjoyed being a superfan on the show,” says Nate. “It allowed me the chance to be a part of a community that shares a common interest in the show, they gave me the opportunity to express my enthusiasm and support, and I got the chance to interact with the show’s hosts and contestants.”
Train your Brain
Whether or not you are a “25 Words or Less” superfan like Nate, he encourages everyone to find word games or a word show they enjoy and play often.
“Games can be a fun and engaging way to train your brain,” Nate explains. “They can improve communication skills, vocabulary, memory and cognitive abilities by encouraging players to think critically and creatively under time pressure. They must convey ideas succinctly and effectively, which can enhance word recall, verbal fluency and the ability to focus on key information. It is a form of mental exercise that can be both challenging and entertaining.”
What games train your brain? Popular online game examples include:
- Wordle (NY Times)
- Words with Friends (Zynga Inc.)
- Quordle (Merriam-Webster)
- Connections (NY Times)
- Spelling Bee (NY Times)
- Pinpoint (LinkedIn)