Wayne County Public Schools

Wayne County Public Schools (WCPS) is pleased to announce that the Spring Creek Middle School Battle of the Books team - made up of eight fifth grade students -  won the Regional Elementary Battle of the Books Competition on Tuesday, April 14. The competition was held at John J. Blair Elementary School in New Hanover County.

“This week, the Wayne County Board of Education proclaimed April as School Library Media Month,” said Ken Derksen, Executive Director for Community Engagement and Student & Family Support. “It is especially fitting to celebrate this month by highlighting our outstanding Battle of the Books teams and Spring Creek Middle School’s success at both the local and regional levels.”

WCPS recently hosted its annual Elementary Battle of the Books (EBOB) and Middle School Battle of the Books (MBOB) competitions at the Dillard/Goldsboro Alumni Cultural Center. A total of 12 teams—eight elementary and four middle school teams—participated, with approximately 100 students competing across both events.

Elementary School Battle of the Books Results:  Spring Creek Middle, coached by Kim York, took first place. Northwest Elementary, coached by Michele Weeks (Head Coach) and Marjorie Cooke (Assistant Coach), took second place. Spring Creek Elementary, coached by Cami Brown, took third place.

Middle School Battle of the Books Results: Spring Creek Middle, coached by Kim York, took first place. Mount Olive Middle, coached by Valerie Blokland (Head Coach) and Joshua Hardison (Assistant Coach), took second place. Wayne School of Engineering, coached by Dawn Schappell, took third place.

Sponsored by the North Carolina School Library Media Association and coordinated by school media programs, Battle of the Books is a quiz bowl-style competition designed to promote reading and academic excellence. The middle school competition serves students in grades 6-8, while the elementary competition is designed for grades 4-5. Participants read from a state-selected list of books and compete to demonstrate their knowledge. This year’s middle school list included 20 titles and the elementary list featured 15 titles.

“Literacy is an essential part of life, and Battle of the Books provides a fun and engaging way for students to strengthen their reading skills,” said Christy White, WCPS Enhancement Program Coordinator. “We are extremely appreciative of the media coordinators, volunteers, and staff members who go above and beyond to make this exceptional experience possible for our students.”

As the regional EBOB champion, Spring Creek Middle School will advance to the North Carolina Battle of the Books Competition on Tuesday, April 28, at The Unity Center in Statesville.

Additional schools participating in this year’s local competitions included Carver Heights Elementary, Dillard Middle, Fremont Elementary, Grantham Middle (EBOB), Meadow Lane Elementary, Northeast Elementary, and Rosewood Elementary.