Viewfinder: Ealy Elementary School Hosts 72-Hour Read-A-Thon

To celebrate National Reading Month, hosted a 72-hour Read-A-Thon fundraiser beginning Tuesday and scheduled to run through Thursday. Students, staff and guests who made a minimum donation of 50 cents were allowed to sit on the Reading Throne, constructed in the lobby. With a crown on their head, they read to fellow students.

The goal: To have the Throne occupied at all times during school hours for the duration of the fundraiser.

From silly stories to serious stories, students were excited to fill the throne. When the teacher asked who would like to read next, the hands went up. They were joined by  several guest readers invited to participate, including West Bloomfield School district board members Melanie Torbert and Raman Singh.

The fundraiser was coordinated by the Reading Month Committee, which consisted of the media, gym, art and music specialist teachers at Ealy.

The donations will be used to purchase new equipment for the gym. Ealy also encourages reading through a variety of contests, mystery readers, a used book fair, reading bingo days, and a reading log track throughout the month of March.

Although small prizes were part of the event, the "real prize is becoming a better reader," said media specialist Lori Issner.