Chester County Students Put Literacy Skills to the Test in Reading Olympics

During the annual Reading Olympics held in April and May, students across Chester County tested their literacy skills.

The Chester County Intermediate Unit (CCIU) organized a “quiz bowl-style” competition for elementary through high school students. Teams competed against each other to answer questions based on a designated list of books during several competition dates this spring.

Each student on a team was responsible for reading four to five assigned books from a designated reading list and becoming context experts about the material. The competitions tested their knowledge of the reading material and ability to collaborate as a team to provide the correct answers.

“When students commit to reading a variety of books and preparing with their peers, they're doing more than getting ready for a competition — they're building habits that will benefit them for a lifetime,” said Kathy Gurnee, one of two special events coordinators who organized the competitions, in an interview with the Daily Local News. “Reading strengthens comprehension, sparks imagination, and improves communication, all while helping students see the world through different perspectives.”

Event volunteer Maria Bednarz, mother of Oxford Area High School junior and Reading Olympics participant Ronnie Bednarz, said, “I think the Reading Olympics is good for the students. They get to practice teamwork when they discuss answers to the questions, and reading books has tremendous benefits.”

Learn more about the Chester County Reading Olympics by visiting the CCIU's website.