Northwest Elementary concluded its 2024-2025 Battle of the Books season by competing against eight other teams at the North Carolina Elementary Battle of the Books competition recently held in Statesville, North Carolina. The Northwest Elementary Battle of the Books team earned its place at the state competition after winning the regional competition held in Bayboro, North Carolina earlier this month.
“Literacy is an essential part of life, and the Battle of the Books is a great opportunity for students to exercise their literacy skills in a fun and unique way,” states Christy White, Title IV Enrichment Facilitator. “It is especially worth noting that this was the first year a state-level elementary Battle of the Books competition was held. We are so excited and proud that our Northwest Elementary team had the distinction of being one of the first North Carolina elementary schools to compete on the state-level stage."
Until this year, elementary Battle of the Books teams could only advance to the regional competition level. While the Northwest Elementary team did not place in the top three at the state competition, the team will be recognized at the June Board of Education meeting for its historic achievement and for proving itself to be among the top elementary Battle of the Books teams in the state.
WCPS 2024-2025 Battle of the Books Competition Season
After months of reading and training, this Spring, Wayne County Public Schools (WCPS) students put their reading knowledge skills to the test at the WCPS annual elementary and middle school Battle of the Books competitions. Five middle school teams and eleven elementary teams, made up of 115 students, competed over two days at the Dillard/Goldsboro Alumni Cultural Center.
At the middle school competition, Wayne School of Engineering, coached by Dawn Schappell (Head Coach) and Sandy Brannan (Assistant Coach), won first place. Spring Creek Middle, coached by Kim York, placed second. Norwayne Middle, coached by Connie Robinson, took third. The Wayne School of Engineering team competition journey ended at regional Middle School Battle of the Books competition, held in New Bern, North Carolina.
At the elementary competition, Northwest Elementary, coached by Michele Weeks (Head Coach) and Marjorie Cooke (Assistant Coach) won first place. Spring Creek Elementary, coached by Camilla Brown, placed second. Spring Creek Middle, coached by Kim York, placed third.
Sponsored by the North Carolina School Library Media Association, and coordinated by the Media Center program at participating schools, Battle of the Books is a quiz bowl type competition. The middle school competition is designed for students in grades 6 through 8. The elementary competition is designed for grades 4 through 5. Students at participating schools read books from a list established by the state Battle of the Books committee, and then compete to test their knowledge of the books. This year’s middle school book list consisted of 20 titles and the elementary school book list consisted of 16 titles.
“The school district is extremely appreciative of all those media coordinators, volunteers, and staff members who go above and beyond to provide this exceptional experience for our students,” adds Ms. White.
Other school teams that participated in this year’s competitions include: Carver Heights Elementary, Eastern Wayne Elementary, Fremont Elementary, Grantham Middle (MBOB/EBOB), Meadow Lane Elementary, Mount Olive Middle (MBOB/EBOB), Northeast Elementary, and Rosewood Elementary.
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