Gov. John deJongh Jr. congratulated the five top St. Thomas and St. John readers of his Fourth Annual Summer Reading Challenge Tuesday, aboard the Disney Fantasy cruise ship, docked off of Charlotte Amalie.
The tribute recognized the students’ achievements during the summer program.
“The success of these top readers highlights the importance of our efforts to encourage childhood reading and supports greater literacy in our community,” DeJongh said in a statement, adding, “For four years now, this initiative has provided an opportunity for families, schools and our entire community to celebrate reading and encourages children to develop a love of books and knowledge.”
DeJongh praised Corethea Marsh, Latanya Mcdowall, James Nosty, Leesmel Segura Rodriguez, and Shequeena Wonell for finishing the challenge with more completed books on their tracking sheets than any of their peers, and he encouraged them to continue their prodigious reading habits.
During their cruise ship visit, the students were treated to a plated lunch in the ship’s Princess dining room and enjoyed interactive storytelling on the Disney Fantasy play floor.
The five students toured the cruise ship with their chaperones and St. Thomas/St. John/Water Island Administrator Barbara Peterson. Guests posed for pictures with Captain Marco Nogara and explored the ship’s many theaters and activity rooms. They also received official Disney Fantasy binders containing photos of them with Mickey Mouse and the captain, copies of the novel "Peter and the Star Catchers," by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson, and certificates congratulating them for their summer reading accomplishments.
“Each of these students earned the privilege of experiencing a joyous day on Disney’s Fantasy by putting in the effort needed to challenge themselves, engage their intellects and explore the powers of their imagination through the gift of reading. We look forward to next year’s program and to reaching even more students about the benefits and importance of reading every day,” deJongh said.
The governor congratulated the top five readers for the St. Croix District last month; students celebrated their accomplishments onboard the Adventure of the Seas, which was docked off of Frederiksted.
The Governor’s Summer Reading Challenge encourages students in kindergarten through eighth grade to read five books over the summer, and rewards them for reading more.
