TSS Blog

According to the Tennessee Department of Education, 34.9 percent of Tennessee students are at or above their grade level in English language arts. With academic achievement gaps and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s more critical now more than ever that we stop the summer slide by helping students find the joy of reading. When students refine their literacy skills, they become well-rounded communicators and are better prepared for college, career, and life. Literacy skills impact student’s writing ability, how they express themselves, their ability to interact with others, and many other aspects of learning, so it is essential our students build a robust vocabulary for their future.

Through Tristar Reads, our annual summer reading program, students have the opportunity to learn all summer long while logging their reading hours and competing in our summer reading contest. The elementary, middle, and high school student who logs the most hours wins a $1,000 college scholarship. In addition, students will be able to win prizes along the way by following along with our Tristar Reads newsletter each week.

Sarah Collier won the 2019 Tristar Reads Middle School scholarship and has a deep love for reading. We asked her to share her experience with Tristar Reads last year, and this is what she had to share:

Hello Tristar Readers,  

My name is Sarah Collier, and I attend Harpeth Middle School. I love to read anytime, anywhere!  I always have a book with me. It’s a great way to relax and escape from my 4 siblings. It helps entertain me when I have nothing else to do. It gives me ideas for art projects. It’s a great way to spend time outside, especially during the summer.

There are several book series that I love and would recommend: Warriors and The Bravelands by Erin Hunter, Percy Jackson by Rick Riordan, Stormlight Archive and The Reckoners by Brandon Sanderson, Dorothy Must Die by Danielle Paige, Maximum Ride by James Patterson, and Wings of Fire by Tui T. Sutherland.

The Tristar Reads Summer Reading Competition is a great way to challenge yourself. I personally cannot read for just 20 to 30 minutes but 2 to 5 hours a day because I cannot put a good book down!  I love a challenge, and I am very thankful for the college scholarships I have earned through Tristar Reads.

Reading just takes the right book, and I hope I can encourage you to find yours.

Thank you, Sarah, for sharing about Tristar Reads and the books you love to read the most. If you’d like to sign up for Tristar Reads, click here. Students can begin logging their hours now.