TREZEVANT, Tenn. — Sixty-four students at West Carroll Elementary School have reached their first benchmark in the school’s annual reading challenge, First Frontiers – A Journey in History.
The program encourages students to read 100 books or earn 100 Accelerated Reader (AR) points by the end of the school year. The first benchmark, set for October 3, required students to read 25 books or earn 25 AR points.
To mark the milestone, students who met the goal were recognized with a Native American–themed celebration tied to their recent lessons in the school library. The event featured traditional decorations such as squash, corn, sunflowers, and headdresses, connecting with their studies on the early Indigenous peoples who lived in Tennessee.
Students who reached the goal earned their place in the school’s Reading Clan, receiving popcorn, bookmarks, candy, arrowheads, and teepee-shaped cakes as small tokens of celebration.
Fourth-grade teacher Beth Hysmith was also recognized, with 94 percent of her class reaching the benchmark.
The next goal is set for December 12 and encourages students to read 50 books or earn 50 AR points. The program continues through May, with the full 100-book or point challenge serving as the final achievement.
West Carroll Elementary’s reading program supports the district’s focus on academic growth through enrichment opportunities. The school’s small class sizes and structured environment help ensure each student receives the support needed to build lifelong reading habits.
