[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1705530432152{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Last month The Children’s Academy completed its first annual reading competition with an award ceremony. The competition was launched in November for 7th, 8th, and 9th grade students. Students who demonstrated strong reading skills were invited to compete with their classmates by reading in public a selected text from a book they chose together. After reading and studying the book together, each participant also gave a talk summarizing what they learned from the book.[/vc_column_text][mk_padding_divider size=”10″][mk_gallery images=”18237,18230,18234,18233,18239″ style=”style1″][mk_padding_divider size=”10″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1705531881526{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Twenty nine students were selected to compete. Eight were selected as final winners, with 9th grader, Valentina, winning the gold medal. The book they chose together is, Gouverneurs de la Rosee (Masters of the Dew) by Jacques Roumain, a famous Haitian author.

Valentina shared in her acceptance speech:

I am overwhelmed with joy and gratitude for the opportunity to be a student at Children’s Academy. Who would have thought in 9th grade I would be capable not only to read in public but also speak in front of hundreds of students, parents, teachers,and community members? There are not enough words to thank our leaders, my parents, and the supporters of Haiti Partners. Reading makes me happy and takes me to happy places. This medal is not for me, it’s for our community. Together we can build each other up. Thank you.

[/vc_column_text][mk_padding_divider size=”10″][mk_gallery images=”18232,18236,18231,18235,18238″ style=”style2″][mk_padding_divider size=”10″][/vc_column][/vc_row]