HOAR Program Management And GoDaddy Bowl Help Promote Reading And Writing

MOBILE, Ala. (Dec. 4, 2013) – The award ceremony for the 13th annual HOAR Program Management/GoDaddy Bowl Reading and Writing Program, which is meant to stimulate students’ reading and writing skills, took place Wednesday morning at the Mobile Civic Center Theater.

The seven-week contest, which ended in October, was open to all fifth graders in the state of Alabama, as well as the Gulf Coast regions of Florida and Mississippi.

Finalists submitted a written book report in 250 words or less. A panel of judges selected 10 finalists to compete for first place.

Over 2,000 fourth grade students attended this year’s awards ceremony. Other guests in attendance included Mobile City Councilman Joel Daves, Distinguished Young Woman Boni Yraguen, and Captain Tom Maine and Senior Chief Eric Biehn with the United States Coast Guard.

The 10 finalists who entered the contest were sent Gennifer Choldenko’s book, Al Capone Does my Shirts; A Tale from Alcatraz, to read and write a report to determine the winning place order. The winners were awarded Alabama College Counts 529 funds ranging from $5,000 to $500. They are also invited to attend the events taking place during GoDaddy Bowl Week, including the GoDaddy Bowl Mayor’s Luncheon, the Greers- AL.com/ Press- Register Mardi Gras Parade and the GoDaddy Bowl game.

This year’s $500 winners included Macy Rendell of Beulah Elementary School in Pensacola, FL, Kearlea Smith of Tuskegee Public Elementary School in Tuskegee, AL, Jo Tiya Richardson-Haynes of Barrett Elementary School in Birmingham, AL, and Lawrence Ryan Ashley of Kenwood Elementary School in Ft. Walton Beach, FL.

The $1,000 winners included Shara Smith of St. Elmo Elementary School in Grand Bay, AL, Alex Browning of Andalusia Elementary School in Andalusia, AL and Taylor Smith of Griggs Elementary School in Mobile, AL.

The top three finalists included $1,500 winner Megan Bradford of Gulf Shores Elementary School in Gulf Shores, AL, $3,000 winner Kelsey Teal of St. Elmo Elementary School in Irvington, AL, and $5,000 winner Tre Roberson of Edgewood Elementary School in Homewood, AL.

Over the past 12 years, the HOAR Program Management/GoDaddyBowl Reading and Writing Program has donated more than $234,500 in scholarship money.