When the Pieces Click: Hannah S. Finds Connection and Success with the Jiggernauts

Originally from Indiana, Hannah S. (she/her) recently relocated from Northern Virginia to Florida, where she homeschools her two daughters and works part-time in an administrative role at a gym. The former high school math teacher is a lifelong casual puzzler who began puzzling competitively in 2021.

Now speeding through puzzles is second nature for Hannah. At the 2026 USA Jigsaw Nationals, she finished sixth in her individual semifinal round and fifth in pairs alongside Alice R. before becoming a champion as one-fourth of the Jiggernauts, who completed two 1,000-piece puzzles in 1:05:29 during the team final. However, she still enjoys the comfort of puzzling at a steady piece-by-piece pace during quiet mornings.

You can catch Hannah at Florida JPA’s second-annual State Jigsaw Puzzle Championship in October 2026 and at Nationals in 2027.

Q&A Time:

What is your best advice for someone who wants to improve their speed puzzling abilities?

Try out different techniques. Adapt according to the image. Find a puzzle buddy who can watch and give feedback on your methods.

What do you enjoy most about puzzling?

Puzzling is the hobby that brings me peace and calms my mind. My favorite time to puzzle is early in the morning before my family is awake, with a hot cup of black coffee and a documentary in the background. I’m a very extroverted person, but when doing a puzzle, I’m completely happy to be left alone for hours.

Do you have a favorite brand, type, style, or subject of puzzle?

I love Ravensburger, New York Puzzle Company, Piecework, and mini puzzles from Puzzledly. I love anything that is colorful and fun to sort.

What is the puzzle community like in your area?

When I lived in Northern Virginia, I was absolutely spoiled by the puzzle community that I found through the monthly D.C. Puzzle Competitions. I looked forward to them every month and have since flown back for a race weekend.

I am an honorary member of the Cherry Blossom Challengers, and I owe so much to them for their guidance, practice rounds, and all-around friendship. Since moving to Florida, I haven’t found anything local to me, but the Florida Jigsaw Puzzle Association is hosting a state championship again this year and I can’t wait!

Tell us a bit about your puzzling teammates!

In 2023, I paired with Becca T. at the World Jigsaw Puzzle Championship. We were brought together after a porch pirate stole my SpeedPuzzling.com competition puzzle and she generously offered to send her copy across the country to me. I couldn’t fathom what that partnership would bring me both that year and in the years that followed.

Pairing with Jigsaw Jessa, who is now one of my teammates, was a true JOY. That was followed by the dream partnership with our national individual champion, Alice R., whom I originally met in the 2024 Puzzle Chess final where she kicked my booty in an elephant nightmare of a puzzle.

Do you have a cherished or unforgettable puzzle-related memory?

It will come as no surprise that winning teams at the 2026 Nationals has been the highlight of them all. My team, the Jiggernauts, competed together in 2025 and came in second. We had only ever met in person two days before the competition started and we just…clicked. When we decided to run it back, I was thrilled. I didn’t know what we were capable of, but I knew I was so excited to find out. I love Alice, Jessa, and Kelly B. so much, and I’ve cherished the time we’ve had around a puzzle table together.

Share a little more about your puzzle community.

Shoutout to my Jiggernauts: Alice, Jessa, and Kelly; my Cherry Blossoms: Eric, Lindsey, Jenna, Jane, and Simmie; and the founder of D.C. Puzzle Competitions, Chelsea! All of my other D.C. puzzle friends: Michael, Andrew, Michelle, Amy, and so many others! My friend Sandra V., who started Speed Puzzling in VA after learning of the hobby from me. The most supportive puzzle husband, Sean—I love you

I really love that a very niche and unexpected hobby of mine has brought so many interesting and fun people into my life. I’m not overly involved in the speed puzzling world and yet anytime I attend a big event, I feel surrounded by family brought together by a love of picking up the pieces and putting them together. I love all of the partners and teammates I’ve competed with, and I look forward to many more memories to come.

Watch the 2026 Nationals team final on the USA Jigsaw YouTube channel.