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READ 180 All-Star Awards
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Scholastic congratulates the nine student winners of the 6th annual READ 180 All-Star Awards!
The Scholastic READ 180 All-Star Awards recognize the outstanding achievements of students in
READ 180 classrooms from across the country who have overcome reading challenges to succeed in school.
Nine winners were selected from more than 400 nominees for the READ 180 All-Star awards being honored by Scholastic for making incredible gains in reading achievement and overall student performance.
The READ 180 All-Star winners each receive a $1,200 check from Scholastic to be used towards furthering their education. The nominating educators of the All-Star winners will also receive $1,000 worth of Scholastic educational materials for their classrooms. |
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The 2009 READ 180 All-Stars are:
Stage A |
 | Gregmarie
Marvine Elementary School, Bethlehem, PA
Born in Ponce, Puerto Rico, Gregmarie moved to the United States with limited knowledge of the English language. She started the school year both reluctant and nervous about reading. After seven months in READ 180, she has transformed her work ethic and now offers help to others with their schoolwork. Today, Gregmarie is an active participant in her classroom and is brimming with confidence in her ability to learn. “When I started school last year, reading was hard and I was scared I wouldn’t be able to learn and catch up,” she said, “I got an A in reading on my last report card. I made honor roll! When I grow up, I want to be a teacher or a doctor.” |
 | John
Tipps Elementary School, Houston, TX
Once a shy and timid reader, John has shocked many of his former teachers with his newfound love of learning. The local library has fed this hunger, offering him a place to expand on READ 180 topics and find books outside of his classroom’s selection. He began READ 180 reading at a first grade level, but today after taking initiative in his learning and experiencing success, he reads on grade level with his 4th grade peers. “READ 180 helped me by getting me more interested in school. Like when I wake up I feel so excited to do READ 180 and read a lot of books,” John said. |
 | Logan
Clear Creek Elementary School, Bloomington, IN
Logan was a student who had all the cards stacked against him. He had never experienced success in school and didn’t think of himself as smart. Now after a year and a half in READ 180, Logan has made remarkable progress—raising his reading scores by three grade levels. He sees the value of an education and has hopes of going on to college. “In READ 180 my Lexile kept rising, so I stuck with it and didn’t quit. I am so glad I had READ 180 to make me a better reader and a better student,” Logan said. |
| Stage B |
 | David
Edison Middle School, Green Bay, WI
As a Special Education student, David used to act out towards other students as a bully. "I used to be the worst reader in my class. I felt like when I read a book I wanted to rip it up,” he said. David has learned to overcome these challenges because of his success in the classroom. He has raised his reading scores three grade levels and now, instead of refusing to do his work, he helps others complete theirs. Teachers look to David as a role model and coaches find him cooperative and value him as a team player. David has made a remarkable turnaround while participating in READ 180. “In READ 180, I read over 20 books. I never thought I would be able to do that,” says David. |
 | Jacob
E.N. White Elementary School, Holyoke, MA
Coming from a native Spanish-speaking family and lacking the self-confidence to become a successful reader, Jacob fell behind in school from the start. However, he only needed a boost to put him on the fast track to success and after a year and a half of intervention with READ 180 Jacob is now reading on an 11th grade level. This year, Jacob even ran for class president where he wrote a speech and read it aloud to the entire middle school. He now aspires to follow in his older brother’s footsteps and become a bomb technician in the U.S. Navy.
“Now I take more pride in the work I do in class,” says Jacob. “Today I read to younger students. I even ran for Class President this year!” |
 | Justin
Southern Oaks Middle School, Port St. Lucie, FL
After changing schools several times in the past few years, Justin began the 7th grade reading far below grade level. Frequent absences and causing trouble were ways he avoided school and avoided reading. READ 180 shined a new light on learning for Justin and suddenly his confidence soared, his absences dropped, and he now stays out of trouble. Justin’s newfound success is infectious; once he experienced success, there was no turning back. Justin says, “In school, since I already experienced success and having teachers proud of me, I wanted them to be proud of me again. I always want to do great!”. |
| Stage C |
 | Christina
Duval High School, Lanham, MD
Reading and writing had always been a constant struggle for Christina. Despite her difficulties in school, she always maintained a positive attitude and from the start, planned to use READ 180 to her advantage. The effort she exerted has clearly paid off, even carrying over to the basketball court where she has become a leader to her team. “READ 180 has made a big difference in my life,” she said, “I have noticed that I am writing more like a high school student and not like a middle school student.” |
 | Greg
Adlai E. Stevenson High School, Lincolnshire, IL
Since 4th grade, Greg has been enrolled in Special Education classes. Frustrated by years of failure, Greg was ready to give up on reading altogether. He didn’t see the point in reading when he couldn’t understand what the words meant. As a result, Greg would daydream during class and refused to work on assignments. READ 180 opened new doors to reading that Greg never thought possible. Today, he is reading above grade-level and no longer fears being called upon in class. “READ 180 has changed not only my outlook on reading but my outlook on life,” Greg said. |
 | Alisa
Spanish Springs High School, Sparks, NV
Born with a disability which affects her memory, speech and mobility, Alisa entered her freshman year of high school struggling to keep up with her peers and nervous about speaking in class. After a year and a half of READ 180, Alisa’s confidence is on the rise and she is excited about her future. She has plans to become a reflexology specialist. Says Alisa, “Life is better because of my reading and I feel confident that in the future I can worry about other things instead of worrying about reading all the time.” |
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