Third graders participating in the literacy challenge in San Antonio.
San Antonio third graders are making headlines by logging an incredible 25 million reading minutes as part of the ‘Read to the Final Four’ challenge. In celebration of the 2025 NCAA Men’s Final Four, over 26,000 students from more than 30 school districts are competing to enhance their literacy skills. Finalists will be honored at the Final Four Fan Fest on April 4, where the top class will win a $5,000 grant for a library makeover. This initiative is not just fostering a love for reading but also uniting the community in support of education.
San Antonio is buzzing with excitement as third graders across the city are racking up reading minutes like never before! It’s not just about books; these young scholars have collectively read an astounding 25 million minutes—that’s over 47 years of reading!
To give a boost to literacy and celebrate San Antonio’s role as the host city for the 2025 NCAA Men’s Final Four, the San Antonio Local Organizing Committee (SALOC) launched the engaging reading challenge called “Read to the Final Four.” This exciting competition kicked off in October 2024 and has captured the hearts (and minds!) of thousands of local students.
The challenge saw participation from over 30 school districts, with more than 26,000 third graders rolling up their sleeves to dive into their favorite books. Isn’t that just fantastic? It’s wonderful to see young readers get into the groove, fueling their literacy skills while contributing to an exciting competitive environment.
As of now, four top classes have emerged as finalists, and they are ready to shine! These schools—the torchbearers of the reading challenge—are:
These finalists were announced during a lively reading rally at Harmony School of Science, where the air was filled with the excitement of young readers cheering each other on.
On April 4, the hard work of these literacy champions will be celebrated during the Read to the Final Four Celebration at the Final Four Fan Fest, nestled right in the heart of downtown. The students from the top-performing schools will receive well-deserved recognition for their achievements in front of a big crowd.
But wait, there’s more! Not only are the kids competing, but there’s also a parallel contest featuring 32 school board trustees who are putting their reading minutes to the test. It’s a community-wide push for reading, designed to foster a thrilling environment for everyone involved. The initiative is all about enhancing literacy among youth, inspiring a culture of reading, and emphasizing the importance of education.
The prize for the winning class is pretty awesome. They will receive a $5,000 grant for a library makeover! Just imagine the joy of transforming their school library into an even more inviting place to read and explore. Who knows what magical adventures await in those new books?
Since the competition launched, over 27,000 students from approximately 1,300 classrooms in 306 area schools have participated in this fantastic reading contest. The challenge has not only ignited the love for reading but created a spirit of camaraderie among students, teachers, and families across San Antonio.
As the NCAA tournament approaches, join the excitement! Whether you’re reading a favorite tale at home or cheering for your favorite team, remember that learning and fun can go hand in hand. Happy reading, San Antonio!
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