Norfolk, Va., - The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) announced today that Hall-Woodward Elementary School has won the Read with MEac community reading program for the third consecutive year. 

Hall-Woodward will receive a $3,000 prize award and earn a special appearance from representatives of the men's and women's basketball teams of the MEAC's 13 member institutions on Monday, March 7 at 9 a.m.

In addition, the top eight readers from Hall-Woodward will be invited to serve as ball boys/girls during the tournament's Youth Night.  The winners will also be recognized during the game along with the school's principal, teachers and representatives from the WS/FCS. 

Brunson Elementary School finished with the second largest point total and will receive a $1,000 prize.  Bolton Elementary School, which earned the third largest point total in the reading program, will receive $500 award.

In addition, the top reader at each participating school will receive a MEAC gift bag courtesy of the MEAC Senior Woman Administrators.

The Read with MEac program encourages fourth graders in the WS/FCS to read non-exclusive books, while keeping track, from January 10 - February 18.  The program was organized by the conference's Senior Woman Administrator's (SWA) and is aimed at encouraging education and promoting the love of reading to students.

"We would like to congratulate all the fourth grade students of the WS/FCS school system that participated in our annual Read with MEac program and applaud their hard work and enthusiasm for reading," said Commissioner Dennis Thomas.  "Congratulations are further extended to Hall-Woodward Elementary School for finishing first, Brunson Elementary for their second play finish and Bolton Elementary School for the third place honor.  There are no losers in this competition and the results from this program prove to be a win-win for the Winston-Salem Community and school district."

Students participating in the program received a bookmark and will receive ticket voucher to the 2011 MEAC Men's and Women's Basketball Tournament, March 7-12, at the Joel Coliseum in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

The MEAC Basketball Tournament tips off March 7-12 at the Lawrence Joel Coliseum in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. 

For more information about the Read with MEac program, contact Patricia Porter, MEAC Director of Media Relations/Corporate Partnerships, at (757) 951-2055.