GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) - Last Friday, McKinley School students, faculty and family members gathered at a special assembly held to reward participants in the schools fundraising Read-a-Thon. Students were tasked with finding sponsors to financially back their commitments to read for 100 minutes, earning money for each minute read. Combined, readers raised a total of $10,000 for the school, which will be put towards future field trips to the Chico Creek Nature Center, Sacramento Zoo and Pumpkin Patch.

While all participants did an amazing job, six students stood out for their tremendous efforts in fundraising. The number one top earner was first grader, Bentley Hagberg, who raised an incredible $1,200. Other top earners included Victoria Solis, Nickolas Kent, Noah McDonald, Logan Pike, and Annalee Zarate. Those top six earners were awarded a prize of their choosing - four chose bikes and two chose Lego sets. They each received a round of applause as they took ownership of their winnings in front of all in attendance at the assembly.

Of course, prizes were not just to be had by the top earners. After the top six collected their loot, their participating peers were announced by name in front of the crowd and given the chance to pick from a variety of smaller, but still exciting, toys and games. Those who didn’t join in on the fun this year left with the motivation to be involved next time the Read-a-Thon comes around. All were congratulated for a job well done.