• The KNEA News Room
• Calendar of Events
• KNEA on the Issues
• News Archive
• Read Across America

Just Read!

Andover 5th grader wins KNEA poster contest

Rachel Schwartzbeck, a fifth-grader at Meadowlark Elementary School in Andover is the winner of the KNEA Read Across America Poster Contest.

Her parents are Ellen and John Scwartzbeck of Andover.

The contest is part of KNEA's annual Read Across America campaign that encourages everyone to pick up a book and read with a child on Dr. Seuss' birthday. Dr. Seuss' birthday is March 2, but most activities statewide will occur on March 3.

There were 316 entries from 33 school districts and communities. Entries were drawn, painted and included three-dimensional artwork. Kansas NEA's poster contest required students to explain their artwork.

Here's how Rachel explained her artwork and why people will want to read after seeing her poster.

"I chose the little pom-pom people to show that reading is exciting just like cheerleaders make the game more exciting.  I used the hearts in the fox's eyes to show that he loved to read and he had fun reading. I also used the Algebra book to who that reading is educational. I used the map and the sign to show that reading is more than books. I used the adult books and children books to show that young and old should read. I used the phone book to show that you can be reading, when you don't realize it. I chose the characters from the Dr. Seuss book because those are my favorite characters. I chose to put the sunset in because it was the end of a fun day reading. I chose the road because it's 'Read Across America.'

"I think the poster shows the importance of reading to be able to travel both imaginary and real. When you are going on a trip you have to be able to read a map or sign on the road. If you didn't know how to read the signs, then you'd get lost and you don't want that to happen. Reading can also take you places like Hogwarts, New York City or to a school.  Reading is important because you have to use it every day."

Partners in sponsoring the poster contest are The State Library of Kansas, Target, KPIRC (Kansas Parent Information Resource Center), Mainline Printing, Kansas Press Association, Kansas PTA, United Way of Greater Topeka and Cox Communications.

KNEA News Room Archives
2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002
For more information about KNEA and our work, contact the KNEA Communications Department.