Tensas Academy’s first through fifth grade students brought creativity, enthusiasm, and impressive literary understanding to the school level Reading Fair held on Feb. 19 as part of the MSAIS competition. Students selected a fiction or nonfiction book, read it, and created a presentation board highlighting key elements such as the title, author, main character or subject, plot summary, and major themes.
Many added costumes or props to deepen their presentations, giving the event a lively, imaginative atmosphere. Hol Guthrie made a memorable appearance as a remarkably convincing Theodore Roosevelt, complete with period appropriate attire, while Harper Schauf brought in a set of antlers from a deer she harvested— an eye catching detail that tied directly into her chosen book, First Deer Cheer. These touches helped bring the stories to life and showcased the students’ engagement and creativity.
Judges Mary Claude Glass and Kristin Manning selected first, second, and third place winners in both the Board and Best Character divisions for Fiction and Nonfiction across all grade levels. In the Fiction Board category, first grade honors went to Israel Alexander and Elsie Burnside, while second grade was led by Harper Schauf and Jayden Sikes. Third grade top spots were earned by Henry McDonald and Dannie Alexander, followed by Sophie Alexander and Sutton Crigler in fourth grade. Fifth grade rounded out the Fiction winners with Allen Crigler taking first and Will McDonald placing second.
In the Nonfiction Board division, first grade winners were Boyd Crigler and Knox Gandy. Jack Crigler and August Nagem led the second grade group, while third grade was topped by Hugh Guthrie and Brighton Gandy. Fourth grade winners included James Capdepon in first and Mack Nettles in second, and the fifth grade category was headed by Hayden Dubois and Maycie Garner. The first and second place winners in the Board category for each grade advanced to the District Reading Fair on February 24 at Northeast Baptist in West Monroe, representing Tensas Academy with their outstanding work.
At the district level, Tensas Academy students continued to shine, earning several placements in both Fiction and Nonfiction categories.
In Fiction Board, first grader Elsie Burnside captured first place while Israel Alexander earned third. Second grader Jayden Sikes placed second, third grader Henry McDonald took third, and in fourth grade Sophie Alexander earned first place with Sutton Crigler taking third.
In the Nonfiction Board division, first grader Boyd Crigler earned second place recognition, while second grader August Nagem placed second and Jack Crigler earned third. Third grader Brighton Gandy secured a third place finish, and in fourth grade James Capdepon earned second place.
The top first and second place winners in the Board category now advance to the Overall Competition on March 26 at Hinds Muse in Pearl, Mississippi, marking another exciting step for Tensas Academy’s young readers and researchers.
