Most marathons require running shoes and hydration packs; this one required a beanbag and a quiet corner.

Before Spring Break, several GHS students participated in a Read-A-Thon to raise money for Imagination Library, the organization founded by Dolly Parton that provides books to elementary school children across the country.

Competition involved reading books, collecting donations and earning prizes. Top winners were sophomore Bristol Vann, juniors Lily Luhigo and Izabelle Coy, and freshman Carrington Dokken.

“We have a Woodmen Read cart that was funded by the GEF which has things that can be won like water bottles, earbuds, digital cameras, Legos and art supplies. The way it works is that when you sign up and send out 10 texts, you get a raffle ticket, and every time someone gets 30 minutes of reading time, they get another raffle ticke. At the end, we pull a handful of tickets, and kids can come in and pick a prize off the cart. If they earned $25 in donations, they get an automatic snack ticket for the first Movie and Mario Cart Day, and if they get $50, they earn another movie ticket for the second day and lunch sponsored by Arnie’s Pizza,” Mrs. Anne Rhinehart, district librarian, said.

Students earned more points by reading in the IMC.

“This is an inaugural year for it because Mr. Corbin at Southwest has taken on our school position on the board for Imagination Library for Johnson County so he asked all of our school to participate and help out,” Mrs. Rhinehart said.

Mrs. Faith Stapleton, IMC librarian, wholeheartedly supports the Imagination Library’s goal to put books in the hands of young children.
“It is good to make sure they start reading before they get to school so that when they get here, that passion for reading has already begun and we can capitalize on it from there,” Ms. Stapleton said.

There were big things to come for readers who participate next year.

“This week specifically is Read Across America Week sponsored by the National Library Association, and that takes place the first week of March every year. Our intent is to do something every first week of March and turn it into a major event rather than just Read-A-Thon focused,” Mrs. Rhinehart said.

The $2,500 raised through the Greenwood school district was added to a fund for Johnson County, so these funds will be used to provide books to children who live in Johnson County.