Youngsters in the public library summer reading program celebrated their love of literature with a recent recognition ceremony at the George Town Library.
Director of Public Library Services Ramona Melody said the program is growing each year and she thanked parents, friends and organizations in the community for their support.
“I am confident that the program will continue to grow, and to help our children become strong readers,” she said.
This year’s Summer Reading Challenge recognition ceremony, held last Saturday, drew more than 150 people, including children, their friends and family members.
This summer, 74 students took part in the initiative, which ran from July to August. The previous year, 46 young readers took part in the program.
Logging the most minutes read this year was 10-year-old Thomas Sevick, a student from Cayman Brac who read for a total of 5,496 minutes. Sahara O’Connor, age 9, of Grand Cayman came second with a total of 3,761 minutes. Both won bicycles and helmets, courtesy of sponsors Cox Lumber and the Public Library Service. The program was also sponsored by Rotary Central.
Each young person received a prize for participation, including iPads, iPods, games, toys, activity packets and more. Ministry of Education Deputy Chief Officer Tasha Ebanks-Garcia attended the event to award prizes and to say a few words of encouragement to participants.
The Summer Reading Challenge began in 2012 to encourage children between the ages of 6 and 17 to read a minimum number of age-appropriate books, for a minimum number of days and minutes during the summer. Library membership and a reading log were the only other requirements.
Explaining that the program aims to combat any regression in young people’s abilities during the long summer break, Ms. Melody said, “Reading skills are important to success in school and work.
“Furthermore, the results of the Summer Reading Challenge confirm that reading can be a fun and imaginative activity for children, which opens doors to all kinds of new worlds for them.”
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