JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — One year after Mayor Donna Deegan launched the River City Readers literacy initiative, the first-ever winners have been crowned.
The city-wide challenge was created in response to an alarming number of Duval County students not reading on grade level.
In this past year, readers were challenged to log their time spent reading each day into the free app, Beanstack. The city says hundreds of students and adults participated, reading more than 3 million minutes total.
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“Reading opens doors to new worlds, sparks our creativity, and empowers us with the knowledge to shape the future,” said Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan. “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.”
The top readers were honored Monday at a ceremony at City Hall. They were given new iPads, tickets to Jacksonville Icemen games, plus books from Mayor Deegan’s new River City Readers bookmobile.
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Winners:
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
Adult:
Delores Johnson, Laila Mai Nguyen, Adam Mattheus, Jennifer Mattison and Grace Ortiz
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The program is now continuing into its second year. The mayor plans to take her newly unveiled, privately funded bookmobile into every neighborhood in Jacksonville to continue the literacy effort.
“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,” said Mayor Deegan.
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