A landmark event in literacy just concluded in Mexico and the United States. Grass roots organizations311Literacy and Little Bookmates demonstrated the power of reading and a love for books can transcend borders and languages. They did so in the form of the first International Bilingual Reading Tournament of 2024.
The event is designed to ignite the joy of reading among children. It saw participation from over 5,000 young readers across Mexico and the United States. Over a three-week period, these enthusiastic participants logged an amazing 700,000 reading minutes in both English and Spanish.
Honoring the Champions
The winners of the event? Pope John XXIII School in Evanston, IL, USA and Instituto Thomas Jefferson Palomar in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico led the pack and were selected as this year’s tournament champions.
Debra Revolorio, Director of Curriculum at Instituto Thomas Jefferson proudly stated, “Incredible victory for the Thomas Jefferson Institute Campus Palomar! Our students were crowned international champions in the Reading Tournament. They devoured 149,903 minutes of reading and enjoyed 5,790 books in English and Spanish. Special applause to Professor Miguel Casillas’ Group 3C, who added 17,409 minutes. Congratulations on your dedication and passion for books!”
Similarly, Dr. Mary Maloney, Principal of Pope John XXIII School, remarked, “We are immensely proud of our students’ exceptional performance in the Reading Tournament. Their dedication to literacy underscores our school’s commitment to fostering a lifelong love for reading and learning. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the organizers for providing this platform to showcase their passion for literature.”
Engagement Beyond the Tournament
The impact of the tournament continues to resonate. Since its conclusion in late March, more than 15% of participants have maintained their engagement with the LightSail Literacy Solution, logging an additional 10,000 reading minutes. This ongoing participation underscores the tournament’s success in fostering a lasting love for reading.
Ariadna Trapote, founder of 311Literacy and Little Bookmates, expressed her pride, “We couldn’t be more proud of the extraordinary impacts our first contest has had on students across Mexico and the U.S. The continued reading after the tournament illustrates our ability to inspire a lifelong habit. The success of the tournament is a testament to the dedication of young readers and the unwavering support of our sponsors.”
Looking Ahead: The Next Bilingual Reading Tournament
Given the phenomenal success and impact of the inaugural tournament, plans for the next Bilingual Reading Tournament are well underway and is scheduled for this fall. Register now to be part of this transformative experience at 311literacy.com.
Here’s hoping the next tournament an even greater success!
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