JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Twenty-five readers were honored Monday at a City Hall ceremony commemorating the first anniversary of River City Readers, a citywide challenge to help more Duval County students read grade level.
For the past year, Jacksonville readers of all ages have logged their reading minutes each day in the free Beanstack app.
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Hundreds of children and adults have participated, collecting three million minutes citywide over the past twelve months.
The first year’s top readers were recognized and awarded prizes.
RELATED: ‘River City Readers’ challenge surpasses goal of 1.5 million minutes read
“Reading opens doors to new worlds, sparks our creativity, and empowers us with the knowledge to shape the future,” Mayor Donna Deegan said. “The River City Readers challenge is just the beginning of a journey toward lifelong learning, and these students aren’t just winners today – they’re the future leaders, thinkers, and innovators of our city.”
As the program enters its second year, Deegan says she wants to bring the message of literacy and love of reading into every neighborhood in Jacksonville via a new bookmobile.
“I couldn’t be more thrilled to support readers, as we celebrate their commitment to expanding their minds, building their imaginations, and developing lifelong reading habits,” Mayor Deegan said.
The bookmobile is paid for entirely through private donations from the Lucy Gooding Foundation and PNC Bank.
The winning youth readers are:
Pre-K
- Evelyn Cawley, Anchor Academy Elementary School
- Tavi McCarty, Melrose Preschool
- Kaya Rasmusen-Li, Jax Beach Elementary School
- Owen and James Straker, Pre-K
Ages 6-10
- Beau Archer, Jacksonville Country Day School
- Hayden and Heaven Fusilier, R.L. Brown Gifted and Talented Academy
- Ada Rolon, Homeschooler
- Castiel Strickland, Northwestern Legends Elementary School
- Kingston Wiltshire, Arlington Heights Elementary School
Ages 11-14
- Felix Andonie, San Jose Prep
- Frederick Mitchell, KIPP Impact Academy
- Travis Muller, Bridge to Success Academy
- Ro Rolon, Homeschooler
- Emmanuel Shaban, Northwestern Legends Elementary
Ages 15-18
- Kendrick Battle, Frank H. Peterson Academies
- Madison Holst, Homeschooler
- Kendra Kirby, Frank H. Peterson Academies
- Skye Nash, Douglas Anderson School of the Arts
- Ian Peppers, Frank H. Peterson Academies
The winning adult readers are:
- Delores Johnson
- Laila Mai Nguyen
- Adam Mattheus
- Jennifer Mattison
- Grace Ortiz
