Jordyn Elliott thinks reading is really fun. She conveyed that feeling in a poster she created for the contest sponsored by Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) and Nestlé USA. Her efforts paid off; she was named this week as one of two local students to win an honorable mention in the 20th and final RIF National Poster Contest, a back-to-school reading motivation competition developed by RIF, the nation’s oldest and largest national children’s literacy organization.
Eight-year-old Elliott attends Hollin Meadows Elementary School; she is in Durann Thompson’s third-grade class and is the daughter of DeAne and Michael Elliott. Her poster was among the 53 best out of more than 360 national entries and 25,000 nationwide participants in the competition, themed “Celebrate the Joy of Reading.” Also winning was Sindy Chavez, 9, a resident of Kensington, Md. and a student at the Sacred Heart School in Washington. Elliott was the only one from Virginia to win.
“Reading books and sharing stories can inspire true joy in children of all ages, and the RIF National Poster Contest offers them an artistic outlet for expressing that joy,” said Carol H. Rasco, RIF president and chief executive officer. “My sincere congratulations go to Sindy and Jordyn, and to the families, teachers and RIF volunteers who contribute every day to the education and achievements of the children of the Washington area.”
ELLIOTT’S POSTER was submitted by Glenna Orr, reading specialist and Harriet Couture, art teacher. Orr said that she explained the contest to the children, giving them the rules and regulations and explaining the theme, “The Joy of Reading.” Couture helped out with the art side of things, spending two classes on the project.
“It’s quite an honor. Jordyn won because of her talents,” Orr said. “The neat thing is that she will get a gift card and a letter.”
“I read every night,” Elliott said. “I like the Ron Roy A to Z mysteries.”
While Elliott does some writing, she would like to be a pediatrician when she grows up because she likes babies.
“I was hoping that I would win,” Elliott said. “I found out not too long ago and I was happy.”
Chavez and Elliott’s posters were selected by seven independent judges from the fields of education, media, children’s books, art, and government, who met in December to select 50 honorable mention winners. The judges also selected a national contest winner and two runners-up. All 53 of the winning posters will be displayed on the RIF Web site at www.rif.org; visitors can also purchase reproductions and post cards featuring each image. In addition, the artwork will be exhibited in various locations around Washington, D.C., throughout the rest of the year.
As an honorable mention winner, Chavez and Elliott will each receive a certificate of honor and a $25 gift certificate to purchase books. Their schools will also each receive a $50 gift certificate to purchase books.