OMS Inspires Reading through March Madness

There’s nothing like a friendly March Madness competition to get middle school students — and staff — reading more books!

“The kids and staff have been rocking this challenge and it has been so fun to hear everyone talking about books, what they have been reading, and how their team is doing,” said Jill Widel, Ozark Middle School librarian. “As of March 24, our students have read over 170,000 pages since we started this challenge and our staff members have read over 475 books. How amazing is that?”

Widel decided to host the competition to engage students and staff members to read in a more exciting way. She was hoping the friendly competition would allow students and staff to cheer each other on, but also push each other in a positive competitive way. And that’s exactly what happened, as homeroom groups have been competing against each other for the championship. 

Cora White, fifth grader, is currently on a winning team and said the competition has inspired her to read more. 

“I like the excitement when you win and your team is cheering. It’s so much fun knowing your team is with you and you are beating the others,” she said with a smile, adding that “The Inheritance Games” is a book she really enjoyed that she may not have read had it not been for the competition.

Sixth grader Jett Emmerton said he’s not typically a fan of reading. However, he participates in the other March Madness every year with friends and family, so this reading competition motivated him. 

“I decided to start reading and I read a really good book. It was ‘Rebound’ and it really relates to being a leader and how my parents strive for me to be a leader,” he said.

Quinn Hayward, who is also a March Madness basketball fan, said he read a World War II book that he really enjoyed and has had fun competing against teachers.

“It surprised me that we won,” Hayward said.  

Widel said incorporating staff into the competition was a way to energize and motivate both students and staff.

“We have some of the best staff around and I knew they'd be up for it. I also knew that this could be the extra push that some students might need to get involved. As a kid, I would have loved to compete against my teachers. I know it would have pushed me and I hope it does the same for our students as well,” she said. “I hope the students can recapture that love of reading and their imagination. I hope that this competition pushes them to try new books and genres. I hope it shows them that they are capable of more than they realize.”