NORFOLK, Va., March 6, 2018—The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) partnered with the City of Norfolk, Norfolk Public Schools, Accelerated Reader 360 and TowneBank to honor Crossroads Elementary School, who was the winner of this year’s Read with MEac competition.
 
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 Accelerated Reader 360 program during from September to February.
 
“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.
 
This year’s program, now in its tenth year, was created by the MEAC’s Senior Women Administrators (SWA) to promote the love of reading.  Senior Associate Commissioner for Administration & Compliance/Senior Woman Administrator Sonja Stills and Yvonne Allmond, the Senior Vice President of Towne Bank, each greeted and congratulated the students of Crossroads on leading the competition and making a commitment to academics through reading.
 
Crossroads Elementary School had the highest activity participation during the contest.
 
As the first-place school, Crossroads received a check for $2,000 and a party at their school. Student-athletes, cheerleaders and mascots from MEAC institutions helped celebrate the students.
 
“This day went very well, our kids had a chance to really celebrate their successes and all the work they do here at Crossroads,” said Dr. Kristin Nichols, Crossroads Elementary School principal. “They read constantly, and I really know it pays off, but it’s exciting for them to see that their work really pays off.”
 
 
For more information on the 2018 MEAC Basketball Tournament, including brackets, ancillary events, tickets and travel information, visit www.MEAChoops.com.