Mountaineer Readers

About the Mountaineer Readers

Since 2007, participating students from the PSP's 15 districts, as well as the Appalachian State Academies at Middle Fork and Elkin and the RCOE Anderson Reading Clinic, read books of their choosing during the summer months and record their reading on a  log provided by App State Athletics/RCOE. Students then submit the log into their School Library Media Coordinator the first week of school.

The RCOE processes a tally sheet from each participating school and announces the top readers in grades 1-2, 3-4, and 5 in each district. These top readers and guests are typically invited to Appalachian's annual Education Day football game.  This year, Mountaineer Readers were recognized for their reading achievements during Appalachian State University’s Education Day football game on November 4, 2023. 

The overall top readers for 2023 are: 

District

Top 1st-2nd Readers

Top 3rd-4th Readers

Top 5th Readers

Alexander County Schools

Ace Atwood

Macey Walker

Maleaha Lewis

Alleghany County Schools

Toban Ambler

Aaliyah Ramirez

Caleb Wagner

App State Academy at Elkin

Harper Richardson

Sadie Sparks

N/A

Ashe County Schools

Charlotte Keziah

Sabe Douglas

Laylen Hayes

Avery County Schools

Corbin Bledsoe

Charlotte Nidiffer

Eliana Hitechew

Burke County Schools

Finley Stephens

Stella Jerez-Munoz

Lydia Bjorlie

Caldwell County Schools

Dixon Clonch

Brantley Nichols

Emmett Nichols

Catawba County Schools

Jaxon Welner

N/A

N/A

Elkin City Schools

Emma Stanley

Joseph Vences

Joeziah Miller

App State Academy at Middle Fork

Tralan Crawford

Danett Hernandez

Alli Andersen

Newton-Conover City Schools

N/A

Vincent Freeland

Avery Rogers

Watauga County Schools

Logan Blanks & Luke Hawes 

Caleb Hawes

Harper Nichols

Wilkes County Schools

Grayson Hodge

Allie Hodge

Vaughn Nichols

2023 Top School: 

App State Academy at Middle Fork (App State)

SLMC: Carla Clayton

Principal: Sean Gaillard

This school with the highest total pages read per student enrolled in school will receive an App State SWAG Basket, and they will receive a customized school-specific video featuring App State coaches and student athletes! A Certificate of Achievement will be sent to the School Library Media Coordinator for presentation at the school level!

2023 Additional Top 5 Schools: 

 Miller's Creek Elementary (Wilkes County) 

SLMC: Karyn Church

Principal: Nikki Patrick

 Valle Crucis Elementary (Watauga County) 

SLMC: Jane Brown

Principal: Dr. Bonnie Smith

Wittenburg Elementary (Alexander County) 

SLMC: Scott Bowman 

Principal: Melinda Glenn

 Crossnore Elementary (Avery County)

SLMC: Ashley McFee

Principal: Matthew Bentley

 Westwood Elementary (Ashe County) 

SLMC: Mandy Keziah

Principal: Jennifer Holden

These next top five schools with the highest total pages read per student enrolled in class will receive a customized school-specific video featuring App State coaches and student athletes! A Certificate of Achievement will be sent to the School Library Media Coordinators for presentation at the school level!

2023 Top Two Classrooms: 

Kaitlyn Marshall's Classroom 

App State Academy at Middle Fork, App State

SLMC: Carla Clayton

Principal: Sean Gaillard

Jennifer Crouse's Classroom 

 Mountain View Elementary School, Wilkes County

SLMC: Becky Vanderheide

Principal: Katie Reeves

 These two classrooms with the highest total pages read per student enrolled in class will receive their choice of an ice cream party OR pizza party! A Certificate of Achievement will be sent to the School Library Media Coordinators for presentation at the school level!

Check out this great article to read more about this exciting celebratory event, and look for news about winning classroom and winning school celebrations in upcoming PSP Newsletters! Email Dr. Rosenbalm at rosenbalmem@appstate.edu for questions on how your students can participate in the future!