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From across the state, students and teachers came to the world’s biggest and best children’s museum to be honored for their reading and teaching accomplishments.
For 23 years, WISH-TV has encouraged literacy through its “I Love to Read Challenge.” The museum continues to be a proud sponsor of the program and host of the annual awards ceremony.
This year, 93 schools participated. Students in grades 1-3 were challenged to read 1,200 minutes during the challenge period of January and February. Grades 4-8 were encouraged to read 2,500 minutes during that same time period.
Rewards ranged from $250-$500 gift cards for classrooms and individual readers, along with gift bags from the Indiana Historical Society and gift cards to Arby’s.
Indiana Governor Mike Pence and First Lady Karen Pence handed out awards and congratulated each winner. “As you go from here today, let what you choose to read make you a better person. We are very, very proud of you,” said the governor.
Here is a list of the winners:
INDIVIDUAL WINNERS:
- Grade 1 Abigail Crow, Mitchell Elementary, Muncie
- Grade 2 Luke Small, Traders Point Christian Academy, Whitestown
- Grade 3 Rose Yang, Needham Elementary, Franklin
- Grade 4 Hannah Walls, Brooklyn Elementary, Brooklyn
- Grade 5 Brendan Hench, Fall Creek Intermediate, Fishers
- Grade 6 Cecilia Daily, Plainfield Community Middle School, Plainfield
- Grade 7 Cameron Logston, Northside Middle School, Columbus
- Grade 8 Ally Swank, Southmont Jr. High School, Crawfordsville
CLASSROOM WINNERS:
- Grade 1 Teacher Jen Blankman, St. Mary’s, Greensburg
- Grade 2 Teacher Melissa Bock, Fishers Elementary, Fishers
- Grade 3 Teacher Deborah Holdzkom, 10th St. Elementary, Anderson
- Grade 4 Teacher Julie Monahan, Immaculate Heart of Mary, Indpls.
- Grade 5 Teacher Mrs. Deweese, Western Intermediate AM class, Russiaville
- Grade 6 Teacher Sara Ellenz, Zionsville West M.S., Whitestown
- Grade 7 Teacher Ted Bourke, St. Monica Catholic School, Indpls.
- Grade 8 Teacher Mindy Summers, Central Middle School, Columbus
CREATIVE TEACHER AWARD
- Laura Christie, Sand Creek Intermediate, Fishers
Sponsors of the I Love to Read Challenge also included the Teachers Credit Union and Meijer
The Children's Museum of Indianapolis is a nonprofit institution committed to creating extraordinary learning experiences across the arts, sciences, and humanities that have the power to transform the lives of children and families. For more information about The Children's Museum, visit www.childrensmuseum.org, follow us on Twitter @TCMIndy, Facebook.com/childrensmuseum and YouTube.
