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Male scholars engage in literacy at district book battles

Jan. 27, 2025

Lake St. George Book Battle winners

Students showed off their reading and comprehension skills at the Boys Read and Guys Read Book Battles. The competitions took place on Friday, in preparation for Celebrate Literacy Week. 

The Book Battles grew from the Closing the Gap program and joint efforts between the Pinellas Education Foundation (PEF) and Pinellas County Schools to narrow gender-based achievement gaps in literacy. The program uses competition to engage male scholars in literacy. 

Boys Read and Guys Read teams participated in the final competitions on Jan. 24, in Conference Hall. 

The program has several sponsors in addition to PEF, including Suncoast Credit Union, Transamerica and Valley Bank. Last year, the district added the Guys Read program for high school students and this year, PCS launched a middle school Guys Read competition. Superintendent Hendrick, Chairperson Hine and Board member Cane attended to support students. Congratulations to all the competing teams and winners: 

  • Elementary – First Place: Lake St. George; Second Place: Skycrest; Third Place: Leila Davis
  • Middle – First Place: Morgan Fitzgerald; Second Place: Carwise; Third Place: Clearwater Fundamental
  • High –First Place: East Lake; Second Place: St. Petersburg; Third Place: Boca Ciega

Boys Read Winners

Boys read Winners