The third-graders at Alcott Elementary stood by their decorated tri-fold displays ready to talk about the “just right” book they wanted to share during Wednesday’s Reading Fair.
Much like a science fair, students at Alcott’s Reading Fair create storyboard displays that feature key elements from the story and give an oral presentation about the book to a judge. For many of them, it’s their first time presenting to someone outside of their classroom.
This marks the first year of the Reading Fair since the pandemic. Teachers first hosted the event during the 2014-15 school year.
A dozen educators and volunteers served as this year's judges, including:
- Diane Conley, Westerville Mayor and retired WCSD administrator
- Liz Dillman, youth services librarian at the Westerville Public Library
- Kirsten Drummond, a curriculum and instructional coach for the district’s Special Education Department
- Hank Fry, retiree and regular Alcott volunteer for third-grade classes
- Heather Griffith, the elementary curriculum specialist for math and science
- Amanda Koenig, an assistant principal at Fouse and Wilder elementaries
- Leslie Rosen, retired Westerville first-grade teacher and regular Alcott volunteer for the third-grade classes
- Dr. Tonya Salisbury, the elementary curriculum specialist for language arts and social studies
- Heidi Schaeffer, former second-grade teacher at The Wellington School
- Marty Somertfeldt, retired Westerville first-grade teacher
- Kate Thoma, director of Elementary Curriculum & Instruction
Judges helped determine winners in four categories in each of the third-grade classes: 1st Place Fiction, 1st Place Nonfiction, Most Creative Fiction and Most Creative Nonfiction. The winners include:
1st Place Fiction
- Camden Meyers (Teacher: Catherine Reinker)
- Charlotte Hutchins (Teacher: June Kellum)
- Ruby Teismann (Teacher: Kim Cody)
- Lincoln Brown and Lia Soungpradith, tied (Teacher: Kristy Hageman)
1st Place Nonfiction
- Sadie Rivet (Reinker)
- Landon Campredon (Kellum)
- Arianna Lycakis (Cody)
- Luke Spencer (Hageman)
Most Creative Fiction
- Andy Kelb (Reinker)
- Chloe McKinney (Kellum)
- Everleigh Gonzalez (Cody)
- Olivia DeBarr (Hageman)
Most Creative Nonfiction
- Levi Taris (Reinker)
- Alyssa Leyh (Kellum)
- Natalie Barney (Cody)
- Vinny Rieman (Hageman)
Winners received certificates and “dollars” to spend at the Scholastic Book Fair. The Reading Fair projects will be on display during the school’s Art Show and Book Fair Family Night.