An assembly for the “Terisa Ward Reading Challenge” was Feb. 10 at the Houston Elementary Gym. The competion concluded on Feb. 3 with an overwhelming response, organizers said.
Houston kindergarteners through fifth grade were given the task to read a book in two weeks.
The books were given to the children free as part of the annual event. Each child who read their book was given a Reading Challenge certificate and placed into a drawing in hopes of receiving one of 21 gift cards offered that could be used at the school’s book fair.
Top prizes were drawn from two different groups: Kindergarten – second grade, Jude Smith, who won a $10 gift card. In third-fifth grades, Danni Root won a $25 gift card.
Also receiving $5 gift cards for each classroom were: Kindergarten — Noah Base, Conner McComas, Isaac Narancich and Aiden Portincaso. First grade — Hayden Jones, Ryker Wilson, Rocky Gilbert and Teagen Light. Second grade — Tucker Richardson, Myles Copley and Oliver Choate. Third grade — Ember Green, Evy Steelman and Cody McDonald. Fourth grade — Jayden Kuntz and Claire Benoist. Fifth grade — Oliver Greiner, Savarah Mullen and Crystilia Holden.
The reading challenge is an annual event in which Houston Elementary School, including the preschool, receives free books with the hope that children in the community will become great readers and have a successful future. The books were purchased through generous donations given to the Terisa Ward Education Memorial Fund by individuals and businesses. Ward ended her 27-year teaching career at Houston as a reading teacher in 2018.
Persons who would like to donate to the memorial fund can contact Joe Ward at 417-349-1173 or drop off the donation at The Bank of Houston. All donations help provide the free books to kids.