MAES Reading Team places 1st!

The Meyersdale Area Elementary Reading Team took first place honors at the Spring Reading Team Competition!

The Meyersdale Elementary Reading Team were first place winners at the Spring 2025 Interscholastic Reading Team Competition! Hosted by the Forest Hills School District, this year’s competition welcomed students from 40 school districts on April 1.

The winning Meyersdale Area Elementary Reading Team includes: Valerie Sechler, Ashton Miller, Carter Bennett, Gibby Hoover, Lorenzo Valentine, Natalie Murray, Emerson Hinzy, Channing Christner, Ella Ferris, Lucas Sell and Colton Yommer. Carter Bennett, Team Captain, read every book on the Spring Competition list!

The team is led by teachers Cay Helinski and Carrie Long.

“We are again extremely proud of the dedication and determination that the Red Readers showed for this competition. Their hard work paid off and they represented Meyersdale well,” explained Helinski and Long. “We think it’s important to keep in mind just how great a feat this is because these students are well rounded and involved in many activities, yet make time to read the entire list to be competitive. It’s commendable!”

These remarkable readers have spent the last several months in preparation, carefully reading the books on the list.