Paris Public Library’s board President Bonnie Ripley is awarding Cassandra McAllister her three gold medals earned during the library’s summer reading program. Cassandra read 4,340 minutes during the summer, the most of any participant.

Library awards medals

PARIS – The Paris Public Library concluded its “Olympic” Summer Reading Program on Aug. 23 with an award ceremony for the 83 program participants.

During the summer, children were challenged to record the number of minutes spent reading, earning “medals” and rewards. After entertainment by John Governale, the library’s board president, Bonnie Ripley, gave medals and prizes.

Reading 120 minutes earned readers a “bronze” medal with a pizza coupon. Reading 240 minutes earned a “silver” medal with a pizza coupon, a meal or doughnut holes and a movie pass.

Readers reaching 480 minutes were awarded “gold medals” with one of the food prizes, a movie pass and a $10 gift certificate.

Greatly exceeding expectations, the 83 participants read a total of 62,211 minutes, earning 85 gold medals, 39 silver medals and 26 bronze medals.