Six primary schools participated in Radio Anguilla’s 1st Annual Primary School Reading Competition, on Wednesday 1, at the Teachers’ Resource Centre (TRC).
The students taking part in the competition were: Melania Mathew – Morris Vanterpool Primary School; Shonté Hope – Vivien Vanterpool Primary School; Khya Fleming – Orealia Kelly Primary School; Tia Webster – Valley Primary School; Geraine Richardson – Alwyn Alison Primary School and Michealanne Benjamin – Adrian T. Hazel Primary School. All of the competitors were Grade 5 students with the exception of Geraine Richardson who was from Grade 4.
Each student read a sort story entitled “The Miserly Old Lady” before a panel of three judges. They were judged on fluency, expressiveness, elocution, accuracy and confidence. Tia Webster claimed the top spot followed by Michealanne Benjamin and Shonté Hope for the second and third spot, respectively. The students also got the unique opportunity to present a news story (which was a non-judged presentation) to the audience. They were awarded participatory certificates as well as prizes courtesy of Digicel Play and The Gadget City.
Education Officer Primary, Susan Smith, delivered a few words of encouragement to the participants and highlighted the importance of reading: “At the Department we recognize that reading is the most important skill [that children] need for their educational success”. She said reading extensively not only increases one’s vocabulary, but also makes one a better reader – and in today’s world access to reading material has been made easier with the introduction and advancement of new technologies such as smartphones and tablets. She went on to commend Radio Anguilla for organizing the competition: “This competition provides them [the competitors]with the opportunity to showcase their reading skill”.
Director of Radio Anguilla, Farrah Banks, told the students that good reading skills could help them in all subject areas. She said: “The more you read, the better you become at it. Reading aloud is very important. It sharpens your focus, increases vocabulary, results in greater comprehension, gives you an opportunity to play, exercises your body, challenges your use of intonation and improve listening and reading skills”. She publically thank her former Biology teacher, Mrs. Verna Fahie, for aiding her in the early development of her reading skills during high school – by encouraging her, as well as other classmates, to read aloud. She further noted that she became the storyteller of her household.
The closing remarks were delivered by Marketing and Sales Manager, Lisa Rey, said: “As a radio station, Radio Anguilla continues to encourage the importance of reading among our youths”. She continued: “We believe an enlightened mind is the most powerful weapon on the earth, above the earth and under the earth – and this is gotten through Education. Education is the most profitable investment for the…future. We hope that today will once again spark a passion for reading among our youngsters, and we vow to invest not just our 47th Anniversary to this cause, but [also our work] throughout the year”. She ended by repeating the slogan for the ‘Book of the Week’ Programme which airs everyday at 8 am and 12 noon: “Reading is FUNdamental”.
