News Releases
Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - June 13, 2002
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Gov. Locke launches statewide Summer Reading Challenge to boost reading skills for young people

SEATTLE — Gov. Gary Locke today issued a challenge to all of the state’s young people to read at least 15 hours during the summer. Those who report their reading success to the governor by Aug. 15 will earn a certificate of achievement and be eligible for prizes, including a trip to Disneyland.

“Reading is the key to doing well in school and in life,” Locke said. “As we strive to ensure that students meet high academic standards, we must address this ‘two steps forward and one step back’ cycle when students stop reading for the summer. We must tap the enormous potential of the family and community in supporting student learning through summer reading.”

Addressing 450 young students at the Seattle Children’s Theater this morning, the governor encouraged them to read at least 20 minutes a day, five days a week during summer vacation, promising that “kids who read, succeed.”

Seattle was the first stop on the governor’s four-city launch of the Summer Reading Challenge. He also will address an all-school assembly at Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School in Yakima and a gathering of after-school students at Madison Elementary School in Spokane. Locke’s final event of the day will be at the Dust Devils Stadium in Pasco featuring a high school marching band and a picnic for families.

The governor is issuing the challenge because research shows that students’ reading skills often backslide during the summer. The Summer Reading Challenge will operate in partnership with libraries, community groups and literacy organizations statewide. Education is one of the governor’s top priorities.

To further motivate summer reading, the governor is offering sponsor-donated prizes including a trip to Disneyland for two individual winners and their families. The winners, awarded through a drawing, will receive free airfare, compliments of Alaska Airlines, plus lodging and admission for four to the theme park.

Amazon.com is donating 4,000 gift certificates, each worth $5, for free books.

Capital One Financial Services Company is helping the Boys and Girls Clubs of Pierce County implement the Summer Reading Challenge in the five clubs located in Pierce County. The company will provide books to participants through Page Ahead and will partner with Wild Waves and Enchanted Parks to host a free day at the amusement park for 1,200 winning Pierce County Boys and Girls Club members who meet the Governor’s Summer Reading Challenge.

Verizon is supporting the “Power Hour Summer Reading Challenge” in three Snohomish County Boys and Girls Clubs: North Everett, Casino Road and Tulalip. Verizon will provide books for the clubs' libraries and for Challenge participants, as well as incentives such as gift certificates and tickets to an AquaSox baseball game. Verizon's support also will provide staff resources for the program.

For more information, visit the governor’s website at www.governor.wa.gov and click on “Summer Reading Challenge.”

Related Links:
- Summer Reading Challenge
- Governor's Public Service Announcement (requires RealPlayer)


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