Reading for the Gold (And Silver and Bronze)

Chip, the Diamond Credit Union mascot, with two Reading Olympians. Diamond Credit Union sponsors the Pottstown School District's Reading Olympics teams.

Over 150 elementary students in the Pottstown School District recently competed in the 13th annual school district Reading Olympics competition earlier this month.

The Reading Olympics requires teams of students to read 45 books in preparation for the event. 

Each round of competition sees two opposing teams attempt to answer 20

questions given in rapid-fire fashion from moderators. After a question is asked about a book, teams huddle to determine the correct answer. One point is awarded for each correct answer and Olympic ribbons are awarded for overall performance. 

District teams qualify to compete in the annual Montgomery County Intermediate Unit competition which annually attracts over 500 teams and 7,000 participants.

The Pottstown School District program is organized by Reading Specialist Karen Neitz. The goals of the Reading Olympics are to increase students' reading for enjoyment and promote reading skills that increase achievement and academic success. 

“I am always so excited to see our youngsters actively engage in reading. This event is an opportunity for students to experience teamwork and the satisfaction that comes from hard work,” said Neitz.

For the eighth consecutive year the Pottstown School District’s Reading Olympics program has received financial support from the local Diamond Credit Union. 

John Foust, President of Diamond Credit Union said, “We are proud to partner with the Pottstown School District in their efforts to promote the skill of reading so that students may learn to read so that they can read to learn. It is extremely rewarding to see the glow in students’ eyes when they correctly answer one of the questions. As an organization, Diamond Credit Union is committed to being a contributing member of our community.”

Here are the results:

Earning Gold Ribbons Were:

Lincoln Lightening Readers - Kylie Boughter, Kaile Butterfield, Melissa Coleman, Seth Jones, William Maddox  Cristine Martinez, Dylan Murphy, Megan Robie, Alixander Stewart, Somaiya Tate, Donovan Towson, MiKayla Viers, Winni Weng, Emme Wolfel.

Rupert Reading Racers - Zachary Beekley, Tyler Bruton, Kamrin Gatlin, Kameryn Herpich, David Hicks, Isaiah Lamar, Courtney Maulseed, Alexandria Olvera, Amana Douglas-Quill, Destri Roye, Emily Russo, Arianna Rumley, U'Kari Taylor, Kito Thompson, Julius Vargas, Hannah Wilson.

Earning Silver Ribbons Were:

Franklin's Rockin' Readers - Dezmyre Aiken, Tajime Brown, Christina Butler, Brooklyn Colegrove, Devin Dolla, Hannah Feist, Erin Glass, Avery Heverly, Kaylin Lascik, Julian Paskel, Esteban Pineda, Bryce Redd, Tanner Scott, Phillip Shiffler.

Franklin's Ballistic Bookworms - Shelby Clayton, Elijah Davis ,Jacob Eames, Andrew Green, Paige Jones, Tahkeim Lowe, Cayla McNair, Riley Mead, Jonae Oister, Payton Reid, Isabel Sharp, Marisa Walker, Emily Weber, Harmony Wood.

Edgewood Elites - Beyonce' Brown, Rasherra Jackson, Kishan Patel, Nathan Lang, Alexis Taylor, Isabelle Dupon, Joseph McLoughlin, Amari Folly.

Earning Bronze Ribbons Were:

Edgewood Reading Stars - Nathalie Baten, Jacob Stiefel, Hannah Lewiski, Marcos Maldonado, Anthony Lowe, Raquel Villegas, Diego Magana-Jaime, Cheyenne Dickinson.

Barth Read Big or Go Home - Topanga Brooks, Heaven Charriez, NiYell Clifford, Sylvahna Craft, Nancy Deschamps-Ocampo, Kaelyn Draucker, Zoe Earle, Haley Haas, Alexa Howard, Justice Mayes, Pearce Raegler, Robbie Raegler, Mason Saltzer, Cheyenne Shirley, Jaleinda Thompson, Taina Virola.

Barth Reading Warriors - Haile Clayton, Aiden Crowder, Kristin DiPietro, Jena Epright, Anyae Germany, Nathan Harper, Sherese Marshall, Jamair McCalpine-Thomas, Wesley McCalpine, Jada Oliver, Briana Quarles, Gabriela Reyes, Faith Roach.