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Master storyteller Yohance Henley keeps students entertained with traditional Broo N'ansi tale at Governor's Summer Reading Challenge Big Celebration!
Hundreds of elementary school students and their parents in the St. Thomas-St. John District attended the Big Celebration for the 8th Annual Governor’s Summer Reading Challenge held Saturday, November 12 at the Charlotte Amalie High School gymnasium.
The annual celebration recognizes the territory’s students for participating in the Reading Challenge that takes place from June to September each year. This year, Lockhart Elementary 6th grader, Wayna Baig was named the district’s top reader and received an electronic tablet for reading a recorded 440 books over the course of the summer. Lockhart Elementary School was also recognized for having the most participants in the 2016 Governor’s Summer Reading Challenge, with a total of 304 students participating.
Speaking on behalf of Governor Kenneth E. Mapp, Eugene Farrell, senior policy advisor, said, “Reading is the most important skill that you’ll ever learn in your entire life. I encourage you to read every day. Read to your parents, read to your friends, read to your grandparents. Read to anyone, because, reading is fundamental.”
Students and parents enjoyed card and board games, a collection of free books to take home, face painting, balloon art, and bounce houses. WAPA, VIWMA, and WTJX Channel 12 participated with a host of educational learning games and activities for students. Raffles were drawn periodically and students participated in live activities, such as egg and spoon races, sack races and musical chairs. Attendees were also treated to an entertaining storytelling session by master storyteller, Yohance Henley of the Division of Virgin Islands Cultural Education.
During the course of the exciting event, students and their parents fueled up on delicious food and treats from local vendors.
Students opened the event with renditions of the Star-Spangled Banner and the Virgin Islands March. St. Thomas-St. John district Superintendent Dionne Wells-Hedrington and Department of Education Chief of Staff Anthony Thomas briefly greeted the students and parents. Deputy Superintendent Racquel Berry Benjamin congratulated the students and administrators of Lockhart Elementary School and echoed Education Commissioner Sharon Ann McCollum, Ph.D., in encouraging all students to motivate their friends to pick up a book and read.
The Annual Governor’s Summer Reading Challenge challenges students in grades K-6 attending the territory’s public, private and parochial schools to read five or more books during the summer months. A part of an initiative of governors across the United States, the Virgin Islands’ Challenge uniquely provides students with books written and illustrated by local and Caribbean authors.
The Big Celebration for students in the St. Croix district is scheduled for Saturday, November 19 from 2 – 5 p.m. at the St. Croix Central High gymnasium. Students who received invitations to the celebration may attend.
Top Reader Wanya Baig (center) is greeted by district leadership. Wanya read 440 books this summer!
Lockhart Elementary School had the most participants in the 8th Annual Governor's Summer Reading Challenge with more than 300 students participating! 
