Local elementary school students in the hunt for a Read to the Final Four Championship
(McQueeney) — Third graders at Seguin ISD’s McQueeney Elementary are proving that hard work pays off as they advance in the Read to the Final Four® literary challenge.
McQueeney’s three third-grade classes competed against more than 300 schools in the San Antonio area by reading 59,393 minutes between November 4 and December 15, 2024. And according to Emily Allen, the Seguin ISD director of communications, those minutes were enough to advance their school to the NCAA bracket-style tournament round of 68 schools.
“We are so excited for them. They have worked incredibly hard to read as much as they possibly can, and we just really want to encourage their reading.
It is such a vital part of their education, and this is a great way to celebrate it,” said Allen.
Although the tournament is far from over, Allen says the Seguin ISD felt that just making it onto the bracket was plenty of reason to surprise the students and campus during their morning assembly on Friday.
“I was so excited I got to be there. For somebody who still loves to read and who loved to read growing up, the kids were just thrilled to find out. Their faces were just completely shocked. They had no idea. They just know that they’ve been reading, and they love to do it and getting to see the excitement – I know for me coming in, it was great. I’m sure it was more of a thrill for their teachers, for their principal and for all of the people who work with them daily. So, I don’t want to take that away from them, but I can tell you as a bystander, it was wonderful. Best part of my job,” said Allen.
Their work, however, is far from finished. Allen says the 54 students this week have already begun to compete in the NCAA bracket-style tournament. She says they all have the hope of being named the ultimate Reading Champion.
“It is going to be reading much like an NCAA tournament bracket so if you are very familiar with filling out their brackets for the Final Four and that’s really what this is all leading up to is the Final Four coming to San Antonio. They are going to keep reading in that same style. There is a set window which did start Monday, and they will try to read as much as they can, and they are competing against those other 67 schools that are in this bracket. Whoever reads the most will move onto the Round of 32 and so on leading up to the Final Four. So, there are prizes on the line. There are some really great opportunities for our kids. The Final Four in this particular bracket will get a chance to go and enjoy some of the festivities around it in San Antonio. So, they are really excited about that, and we are really excited for them,” said Allen.
In addition to the coveted title, McQueeney students will be competing for prizes, books, and a library makeover.
“Literacy is vital to our students’ success and future, and I am thrilled to see them get excited about reading,” said Superintendent Dr. Veronica Vijil. “We are proud of their accomplishments and look forward to seeing what else they accomplish as they represent our district in this tournament.”
Dr. Vijil joined McQueeney library media specialist Amber Williams in surprising the students and their classmates with the news during Friday’s morning assembly. Students from the Seguin High School Mighty Matador Band and the Seguin High School MatCast program also joined the festivities.
Seguin ISD’s other elementary schools will also have a chance to earn prizes as they continue participating in Read to the Final Four® through the Rising Reader tournament.
Read to the Final Four® is expected to name its Reading Champion during the NCAA® Men’s Final Four® Fan Fest Presented by Capital One in April.