NORFOLK, Va., Feb. 14, 2018—The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) and Norfolk Public Schools have once again teamed up to host the Read with MEac elementary and middle school reading contest sponsored by TowneBank.
 
Read with MEac is a citywide reading contest that encourages students in Norfolk Public Schools to read as much as possible. Participants’ reading progress was monitored through the Renaissance Star Reading program from September through earlier this month.
 
“I look forward to this contest every year as do our students and faculty. As an avid reader, I can attest to how much reading positively impacts academic performance,” Dr. Melinda J. Boone, Norfolk Public Schools Superintendent, said. “We have a strong focus on literacy in the district and I’m so glad that our relationship with MEAC, and this particular program, helps to underscore that and serves to cultivate a love for reading in our children. I want to say great job to all of our readers and send a huge congratulations to this year’s winner, Crossroads School!”
 
The reading contest, organized by MEAC Senior Associate Commissioner and Senior Woman Administrator (SWA) Sonja O. Stills, along with the member institutions’ senior woman administrators, is aimed at encouraging education and promoting the love of reading to students. The program is in its 10^th year.
 
“I’m ecstatic that the MEAC was again able to partner with the Norfolk Public School system to continue this worthwhile program,” said MEAC Commissioner Dr. Dennis E. Thomas. “Read with MEac has been one of the best programs that we’ve ever implemented since I’ve been commissioner. We need to continue to recognize the academic achievement of students more. I commend the students, teachers, principals and parents. Also, I would like to thank Dr. Boone for encouraging her students to read more.”
 
The MEAC will recognize the winning school and top student reader in a celebration on Tuesday, March 6 at the school.
 
The winners, announced today, are:
 
First-Place School
Crossroads Elementary K-8, $2,000 prize
 
Second-Place School
Tarrallton Elementary, $1,500 prize
 
Third-Place School
Tidewater Park Elementary, $500 prize
 
Winning Class
Teacher Deeana Messina, 5^th grade, Tarrallton Elementary, $1,000 prize
 
Top Male and Female Readers
Esme’ Courson, 2^nd grade, Taylor Elementary
Charles Bromley, 2^nd grade, Taylor Elementary
Anna Wernly, 3^rd grade, Larchmont Elementary
Donovan Duman, 3^rd grade, Willard Model Elementary
Lilly Jones, 4^th grade, Academy for Discovery at Lakewood
Jake Guinn, 4^th grade, Larchmont Elementary
Isabella Stone, 5^th grade, Ghent School
Kenneth Berger, 5^th grade, Taylor Elementary
Keziah Shack, 6^th grade, Academy of International Studies at Rosemont
Ian Burchfield, 6^th grade, Academy of International Studies at Rosemont
Jada Hughes, 7^th grade, Academy of International Studies at Rosemont
Adam Akins, 7^th grade, Academy for Discovery at Lakewood
Kayla Whitt, 8^th grade, Academy for Discovery at Lakewood
Tyson Limato, 8^th grade, Academy for Discovery at Lakewood
Nicholas Lewis, 8^th grade, Blair Middle
Uther Berger, 8^th grade, Blair Middle
Colten Taylor, 8^th grade, Crossroads School
Nathan Shirk, 8^th grade, Academy for Discovery at Lakewood
Kelson Hughes, 8^th grade, Academy for Discovery at Lakewood
 
Top Male and Female Most Improved
Sofie Stawny, 2^nd grade, Poplar Hills Elementary
Jason Frankenfield, 2^nd grade, Larchmont Elementary
Iyanna Barnes, 3^rd grade, Ghent School
Donovan Duman, 3^rd grade, Willard Model Elementary
Daizy Taylor, 4^th grade, Little Creek Elementary
Isreal Person, 4^th grade, Academy for Discovery at Lakewood
Leiana Hernandez, 5^th grade, Little Creek Elementary
Dung Ho, 5^th grade, Larrymore Elementary
Deanna Johnson, 6^th grade, Academy of International Studies at Rosemont
Douglas Brown, 6^th grade, Norview Middle
Ambre Septier, 7^th grade, Crossroads School
Arriyon Hardy, 7^th grade, Academy for Discovery at Lakewood
Nacaisia Fountain, 8^th grade, Norview Middle
Harley Reece, 8^th grade, Northside Middle
 
For more information on the 2018 MEAC Basketball Tournament, including brackets, ancillary events, tickets and travel information, visit www.MEAChoops.com.