An Olympic Effort

Over 150 elementary students in the Pottstown School District took part in the Olympics but they did not have to travel all the way to Sochi to showcase their skills.

They stayed right here in Pottstown as they participated in the 14th annual Pottstown School District’s Reading Olympics Competition. 

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 the 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,” explained Neitz.

For the ninth 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.”

Ribbon award winning teams included:

Barth Page Masters – BRONZE	Barth Reading MVP - BRONZE	Franklin Bluebirds - BRONZE	Lincoln Lightning - BRONZE
Early Boyd-Brown Jenia Brown Michelle Castillo Joseph DeLeo Anthony DiPietro Mason Long Christinna Longenecker Mackenzie Moser Mylihng Ortiz Zavion Paschall Ma'Kea Regis Kaden Timbers Xzavier Francis Williams	Ashton Binder Jaylen Bryant Justyna Epright Eddie Higgins Makenzie Johnson Debra Laulu Jesus Linares Zachary Mitchell Tryniti Mott-Lewis Patrick O'Connor Grant Panfile Ivionna Reed Enam Robinson	Askew, Jamilah Brown, Tyonna Christman, Olivia Clyde, Shyeed Cocci, Joel Couch, Thomas Delgado, Janessa Eames, Liza Harper, Tyler Hill, Elias Mest, Kristen Ormston, Allison Pena, Jolyn Rabert, Austin Smith, Dakota Tinson, Braylon	Jonathan Calle Xochitl Cruz-Hernandez Madison Dunn Isabella Floyd Farid Gass Jailyn Hampton Isabella Harmon Maria Jimenez Angelina Ludy Jesseny Redrovan Abigail Rochlin Deanna Stefanavage Kayla Vitabile Sydney Wilerson Daniel Williams Jayniana Williams

Rupert Roaring Readers - BRONZE	Middle School Eagles - BRONZE	Middle School Falcons - BRONZE	Middle School Hawks - BRONZE
John Cranford Jack Engleman Emma Gain Amar Graves Beatriz Guardado Breckin Leh Hannah Monger Malachi Neely Kira Nihart Yasmin Paez Jaylin Reynolds Julia Scavello Amayah Scurry Scarlet Vallejo Melodie Velez	Naomi Parson Jaydin Douglass Elizabeth Brennan Eric Thornton Jacob Eames Xavier Agosto Kamrin Gatlin Julian Paskel Haile Clayton Keshana Brown Harmony Wood Nancy Deschamps-Ocampo	Destri Roye Zach Sands John Toussaint Kishan Patel Sebastian Buchanan Tajime Brown Beyonce Brown Kameryn Herpich Imani Brant Brian Cowie Kylee Pimentel Hannah Wilson	Gabby Reyes Xavier Cushman Samantha Deery Bobby Mitchell Cristine Martinez Jaleinda Thompson Talia Spruill Nate Lang Ciera Cwynar Anthony Russo Riley Mead Emily Weber