Thanks to the generous support of our sponsors and community, PuzzleMania VIII raised over $11,000 and welcomed more than 120 participants to our 8th annual speed puzzling event. This year’s success would not have been possible without our corporate partners, whose leadership and commitment to empowering women and girls fuel our Dream programs. These programs provide cash awards to offset associated education expenses, offer mentoring, and equip women and girls with the tools they need to achieve their educational and career goals.
A Day of Friendly Competition
Teams of four raced to complete a 500-piece puzzle, filling the room with energy and focus. Team PK Puzzlers claimed first place with an impressive finish time of 25 minutes and 34 seconds. Team Over Puzzled, last year’s champion, secured second place, and Gettin’ Jiggy Wit’ It took third place. The full top ten results are listed below. The winner for best team name, by popular vote, was More Than a Side Piece.
PuzzleMania VIII Results
1st: PK Puzzlers | 25:34
2nd: Over Puzzled | 26:14
3rd: Gettin’ Jiggy Wit’ It | 34:23
4th: Shackles Crouse | 35:03
5th: Speedy Ol’ Jigsaw Gurus | 35:04
6th: Just Trying to Fit In | 42:10
7th: Piece Warriors | 43:38
8th: The Jig is Up | 45:45
9th: You Want a Piece of Us? | 50:35
10th: Living on the Edges | 54:39
Thank You to Our Sponsors
We are especially grateful to the businesses that stepped forward to make PuzzleMania VIII possible:
$2,500 Platinum Sponsor
OsteoStrong
$1,000 Gold Sponsor
Edward Jones represented by Mary Woodard and Elizabeth Perry
$500 Silver Sponsor
Cardinal Hill Wealth Management
$250 Bronze Sponsor
Coastal Credit Union
Because of your investment, more women and girls in our community will have access to the resources and support they need to build brighter futures.
50/50 Raffle Highlight
Our 50/50 raffle generated $1,200, with $600 going to raffle winner Laura Trubey. In a remarkable show of generosity, Laura donated her $600 winnings back to Soroptimist Raleigh — further amplifying the impact of the day.
Special Thanks to the following excellent puzzle and game companies who graciously donated puzzles for the competition, and for winner prizes. Each member of the first place team received a 1000-piece and 500-piece puzzle. Second through fifth place received 1000-piece puzzles and sixth through 10th place received 500-piece puzzles. MasterPieces, Galison, Anatolian, Eurographics Puzzles, Ravensburger and Guildhall Games.
Silent auction donors included: Black & White Coffee Roasters, Carolina Ballet, Carolina Hurricanes, Great Harvest Bread Company, Jigsaw Surf Co., Puzzle Bomb, Sola Coffee Cafe, Soroptimist Members, Trina Groening, Unleashed, the Dog & Cat Store, and Wines for Humanity. Thank you to these generous donors.
We are deeply grateful to our sponsors, puzzlers, and community members whose partnership makes events like PuzzleMania possible. Together, we are investing in brighter futures for women and girls.