THE long awaited preliminary results for the first leg of the Champion Reader’s Competition were revealed on Thursday at the National Library.
It was announced that nine persons from Georgetown will be advancing to the finals. They are  Crystal DeFreitas, Orsel Freeman and Kareem Wilson from the 9-11 years category, Rosanna Bisnauth and Angelina Mootoo, 12-14 category, Angeleica Bisnauth and Shawna Henry in the 15-17 group and the final two from the 18-35 category are Dominic Park and Roseanna Taitt.
According to the Coordinator of Extension Activities at the Library, Mrs. Margaret Eastman, a total of 80 persons within four age categories from the Georgetown branch of the National Library were evaluated on Friday, July 30th.
Ms. Eastman pointed out that only those individuals in the first and second place positions in each category, attaining 80 % or more, would be advancing to the final round.
Expressing her delight at the performance of those persons in the 12-14 category, she said, “the level was high, many persons scored in the high 80’s and 90’s.”
Eastman indicated that the results for the other branches across the country will be posted tomorrow.
She revealed that if no one achieves 80% then persons in Georgetown who did not qualify for the top two positions but gained the target score, will be advancing.
The Coordinator emphasized the importance of having those with the highest scores participating in the finals.
She said, “If persons from the other branches do not make it to the final round then we will advance others who have the required score,” adding, “this is after all, a champion reader’s competition.”
At the end of the evaluations last Friday, the participants were each given a book to take home as a token of appreciation.
Explaining this gesture, Eastman said, “We want persons to continue to read by showing them that they are all winners.”
For the preliminary round, participants were required to read two pre selected books, after which they were tested in an oral and written segment.
The same pattern will be followed for the final evaluation which will be held in Georgetown on the 27th August at the National Library.
Final readings will run from August 9 to 27 with the final publication of results on September 3, 2010.