Edwards Summer Reading Program Wraps Up

From left: Eddie the Coyote, Edwards Air Force Base mascot, presents a stuffed dog to a young raffle winner Aug. 15 during the grand finale of the Base Library's Summer Reading Program. The program was headed by library director Alison Vasquez (center). Alexander Kovras (left), 412th Force Support Squadron director, helped draw names from a can for prizes to be awarded to those children who read all 100 books assigned during the program. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kenji Thuloweit)

Prizes, pizza, close out Base Library Summer Reading Program

Published Aug. 15, 2014
By Kenji Thuloweit

EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- With Edwards AFB's schools beginning Aug. 18, the Edwards Base Library ended this year's Base Library Summer Reading Program with a grand finale Aug. 15.

Children received a prize for every 10 books they read, up to 100 books. Those who completed all 100 books during the program were entered into a raffle for the largest prizes, which were handed out by Eddie the Coyote, Alison Vasquez, library director, and Alexander Kovras, 412th Force Support Squadron director.

Volunteers who helped out with the program and at the library were also recognized.

"The 452 participants exceeded our reading goal of 20,000 books; the grand total is 21,624 books," said Vasquez. "This year's participants' age ranged from one month old to 17 years old."

Each child that participated in the program received a themed book bag, bookmark, pencil, foam mask and t-shirt. This year's theme was animal oriented - "Paws to Read."

The theme was designed around the main character of a children's book, "Rocket Writes a Story," about a dog named Rocket.

"Next year's theme is 'Reading to the Rhythm,'" concluded Vasquez.