By CHRISTINE BOATWRIGHT / Staff Writer

MONTEVALLO – By reading eight books before Oct. 1, Montevallo Elementary School children can enter into a drawing to win Iron Bowl tickets for themselves and their parents.

The Alabama Education Association is holding the “Be a Champion and Read” contest for elementary, middle and intermediate schools across the state. MES’ third grade teachers decided to promote the contest as their grade’s educational promotion for the month of September.

“Each grade level does something every month,” third grade teacher Carla Harrell said. “We did make AYP, but we want to take it and go farther.”

In addition to the statewide reading competition, the teachers decided to hold a door-decorating contest for gift bags within the school. Every MES teacher and principal decorated their classroom or office doors supporting Auburn, Alabama or both teams. Mrs. Gray won for her Auburn door, and Mrs. Sharman was chosen for her creative Alabama door. Pictures of all of the decorated doors will be sent to the AEA for the opportunity to win $500 for the teacher’s classroom.

“Reading is a big thing nowadays,” Harrell said. “Some kids don’t like to read, so to motivate them, we came up with the contest to emphasize that. The third grade teachers decided to decorate doors to boost morale.”

To win the football tickets, students must read eight level-appropriate books. After recording and turning in their book lists, students will receive a postcard to mail to the AEA to be entered into the drawing. The winning students, one for Auburn, one for Alabama, and two guests will receive Iron Bowl tickets, and will be guests in the athletic hospitality room and be able to visit the field during pre-game activities.

MES teachers also have the opportunity to win money for their classrooms. Two participating teachers will win $1,500 for their classrooms, and schools with at least 70 percent of students participating will be entered in a drawing to with $5,000 for the school’s library.

MES held two pep rallies on Sept. 12 to excite the kids and kick off the reading contest.

“Parents need to encourage their child to read,” Harrell said. “This contest could provide additional funding and practice with reading, and the kids need this.”