Red Readers capture first-place finish!

Congratulations to the Meyersdale Elementary School Reading Team for their first place finish at the 2026 Spring Interscholastic Reading Team Competition! Hosted by the Forest Hills Area School District, this year’s competition welcomed students from more than 30 school districts. The Meyersdale Area Elementary Reading Team includes: Gibson Hoover, Ella Johnson, Marabella Wiltrout, Sadie Sines, Grayson Beeman, Austin Sines, Brinleigh Homa, Brynlee Layton, Emma Johnson and team captain Channing Christner.

The team, coached by Cay Helinski and Carrie Long, has spent the last several months reading the assigned list of books in preparation for this competition.

“We are so proud of our Elementary Meyersdale Red Readers. They earned a first place award! These students worked together to read over 40 assigned books. They have been reading these books since January and were able to remember amazing details in their three rounds of competition. They earned a cumulative score of 55 with the cutoff being 40 points to place. Our Red Readers enjoyed a well earned treat at Sweet Frog’s after an intense, but fun competition. Way to go readers, your coaches are extremely proud,” explained Long and Helinski.

Congratulations Red Readers! We are so proud of you!