Students distinguish themselves

These days, books face stiff competition for students’ limited leisure hours.

Television, the Internet and video games compete for time, and often win.

To encourage students in grades six-12 to read, and to recognize those who already do, Central Kitsap school librarians and the Kitsap Regional Library created the Distinguished Reader Program.

“I think at certain age levels kids have so many activities and school work for classes, that trying to balance time for pure enjoyment of reading is a challenge,” said Cathy Wright, the librarian at Fairview Junior High School, one of the participating schools.

Wright estimated that five to 10 Fairview students have signed up as Distinguished Readers so far.

The program, implemented in late February, directs students to select books from lists posted on the district’s Web site. To qualify for the Distinguished Reader honor, students must read 10 books outside their normal school assignments.

After finishing a book, students discuss the story with either their school librarian or a Kitsap Regional Library librarian. Eleven CK schools participate in the program, according to Karyn Lackman, the Central Kitsap High School librarian who spearheaded the project.

Elizabeth Green, a Central Kitsap High School junior participating in the program, said she loves to read because she learns from characters’ mistakes, and it is a relaxing escape. However, she is somewhat of a rarity among her peers, she said.

“A lot of my friends are, like, ‘You read? What planet are you from?’” Green said.

Students who complete the requirements will be recognized at an awards ceremony, and all three CK secondary schools are likely to attach a certificate to students’ diplomas lauding their reading achievement, Lackman said.

The program aims to build a community among readers, familiarize students with regional library services and, of course, turn them on to reading, Lackman said.

“Besides improving reading skills, it prepares them for school, work and life,” Wright said.

Lackman hopes to help organize book groups at Central Kitsap High School next year to connect young readers.

Carol Gill Schuyer, the head of regional services for the Kitsap Regional Library, called the program a flagship. She said it is part of the library’s effort to work with the schools.

“One of the things I love is they will connect the public library with the school and reading. We are available to students after school and during the summer, and of course after they graduate we are their library,” Gill Schuyer said.

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