EUTAWVILLE - Colorful balloons filled the bright autumn sky as 84 triumphant St. James-Gaillard Elementary School students recently demonstrated that the sky's the limit when it comes to achieving - and surpassing - their reading goals this quarter.

As part of a year-long district competition encouraging students to read, students in grades 1-5 were challenged to read a book on the Accelerated Reading Program list (kindergarten students could have the book read to them) and then take a test to measure their understanding of the text.

The program allows students to read at their own level, earning points for each book read and to meet individual goals as they track their own progress.

"Students get excited by the program," Principal Michelle Wilson said. "It's a great way to instill a love of books early in a child's life. Our students have collectively read over 1,000 books this year so far."

Those who reached or surpassed the goal of individually earning 15 points or better in the first nine weeks of the program were rewarded with an opportunity to launch a balloon commemorating their success. A message describing St. James-Gaillard Elementary School as "A Great School in South Carolina!" was placed in each balloon before it was released.

Eighty-four pairs of eyes were excitedly trained upward, watching the helium-filled balloons rise as a symbol of their hard work and progress, librarian Doris Bailey said.

"It was a great way to start celebrating our Accelerated Reader challenge program for the school year," she said.

No one was more enthusiastic than second-grader Julissa Rhodes, who earned the distinction of racking up an unparalleled 45 individual points in the first nine weeks of the program.

"I like reading," the young reader said. "I especially like reading about animals. My favorite book is 'Frog and Toad.' I'm going to keep on reading," Rhodes said.

Wilson's goal is that the sight of those balloons arcing up and away will keep all her students looking up toward a bright, unlimited future.

St. James-Gaillard students who earned 15 points or better during the first nine-week period were: Kindergarten: Devin Johnson-Boyer, Jordan Brown, Ke'Asia Bryant, Jazymne Collins, Christopher Crummie, Diamond Davis, Ja'Lasia Davis, Kanija Davis, Neko Dukes, Jasmine Fuller, Ryaniaya Fuller, Joseph Foye, Maleek Gathers, Sylvester Gethers, Samone Gibbs, Austen Gibson, N'Yearah Glover, Cameron Goodwin, Latrell Green, Talik Jacques, Shaniya James, Jah-Eid Jefferson, Jah-Eim Jefferson, Clanajion Johnson, Duwyne Lee, Ivan Lopez, Nasir Jean Louis, Artemia Martinez-Maya, Kahari Middleton, Ka'Nye Middleton, Jer'von Polite, Ricky Sarine, Leroy Simmons, Christain Smith, Larry Rasberry, Adonis Richburg, Nya Thrower, Derek Weatherford, Quadrick Whetstone, Kiazhia Wright, Ja'Ashia Young.

First Grade: Geniyah Way; Second Grade: Travion Gethers, Julissa Rhodes, Malayzia Spann, Damajai Sumpter, Bazjae Davis, Zi'Kemya Geathers, Christain Mallard, Tzuriel Murray, Bobby Slack, Brandin Waetherford; Third Grade: Ashley Campbell, Jabriel Dupree, Mitchell Washington, Qunitrell Davis, Brandon Gibbs-Sanders; Fourth Grade: Jaelyn Bryant, Terri Davis, Johnny Elmore, Destiny Funderburg, Tarajae Gilmore, Jonathon Guillot, Jerlaunte' Lee, Amia Salley, Joshua Siau, Danieyer Taiste, Jaquez White, Tromel Gavin, Antwon Graham, Ruby High, Tyrese McFadden, Aquilla Smalls, Jazzjuan Wright, Geaynna Brown, Deandre Gibbs, Morgan Jackson, Kaitlyn Pepitone, Patience Pinckney and Fifth Grade: Dominique Davis, Makeda Hutchinson, Iliyah Phillips, Deshawn Roberts, Ty'Keyah Gilmore.

T&D Correspondent Diane Gainer can be reached by e-mail at bcdthinktank@yahoo.com.

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