WINNERS OF THE READING CONTEST AT CATHEY’S VALLEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ARE PICTURED WITH THE FIRE TRUCK THEY GOT TO RIDE TO SCHOOL. Over the past two weeks, seven exceptional readers from the Cathey’s Valley School were rewarded with a ride to and from school in a fire engine. Inspired by Cathey’s Valley Company Officer Captain Richard Shelton and Principal Carol Fincham, a majority of students began reading books, as it turned out, lots of books.

Students from kindergarten through grade six participated. Each grade level teacher was challenged with setting criteria by which to judge competitive achievement. Some grade levels were judged by minutes spent reading, some by number of pages read, and some by the number of books. While the criteria may have varied, the rules were the same for every member of each individual class.

As an example, third grade winner Hannah Swiecki crafted victory by reading for 2,459 minutes. The winners were notified just prior to the holidays and a schedule of rides was arranged. Captain Richard Shelton and his company members polished the engine and readied it for the much anticipated reward. The rides began on Jan. 5 and continued through Jan. 14. Each morning a different winner rode to school in the officer’s seat with red lights and sirens announcing their arrival.

The winners by grade level were: Morgan Lettice, kindergarten; Emilee Cordero, firs grade; Mckenzie Lettice, second grade; Hannah Swiecke, third grade; Brianna Heavner, fourth grade; Meghan Hise, fifth grade; and Alex Swiecke, sixth grade.