Something to be proud of?

Now, I am a huge fan of texting, but wow!

Samantha Gross from the Associated Press wrote an article today about 15-year old Kate Moore from Des Moines, Iowa winning $50,000 as the finalist for the LG US National Texting Championship. Huh?

Samantha says in the article to, "Let your kid text during dinner! Let your kid text during school! After all, she said, "Your kid could win money and publicity and a phone." During dinner? What about family time? And, I could be wrong, but aren't they suppose to be paying attention in school?

It appears Kate's 14,000 texts-per-month habit paid off....literally. Kate took home the $50,000 reward just eight months after she got her first cell phone. Did they say 14,000 per month?

Her speedy and accurate performance, beat out 20 other finalists from around the country over two days of challenges such as texting blindfolded and texting while maneuvering through a moving obstacle course. Maybe next we'll see her on Britain's Got Talent!

According to Samantha, she outtexted 14-year-old Morgan Dynda, of Savannah, GA in the final showdown. Both girls had to text three lengthy phrases without making any mistakes on the required abbreviations, capitalization or punctuation. At least they are learning grammar and punctuation, that's good.

The winner pays no attention to the claims that she is too focused on virtual communications, saying that while she has sometimes had her phone taken away from her in school, she keeps good grades, performs in school plays and socializes with friends — in person — on the weekends. Wow, and I can't even find time to work and raise a family.

And, in addition to all of that, she finds time to send about 400 to 470 texts a day. Did she say, a day? I am up to 20 on some days, but clearly, she's got me beat.

Among her uses of the text messages? Studying for exams with friends, which she says is better done by text because she can look back at the messages to review. Or cheat, whatever need be.

Anywho, there were over 250,000 people who tried to get a spot in the competition, all 22 or younger with some winning their spots by being the fastest people to text responses to the televised ads. Guess that leaves me out.

It's the third year for the texting competition, sponsored by LG Electronics Inc.'s mobile-phones division. But it's the first time that it was held at a flashy sound stage with an illuminated platform and surrounded by TV cameras. LG, based in Seoul, South Korea, is considering using the footage in a televised special of some kind. Sounds like a Hannah Montana concert, sweet!

Seriously though, good for Kate. If I thought my two teens could have won 50 Gs, I would have pulled them out of school for the year to practice. Wink, wink.

Keep texting!