San Andreas, CA…The Calaveras County Office of Education has brought a new student event, Battle of the Books. With the help of Avery Middle School Library Media Specialist, Tara Hungerford, the newest student event was a success. Over 30 students, from 4 Calaveras county schools, competed at the event. Teams came with unique team names and T-shirts. An excited, large spectator crowd cheered them on.

Sixth, seventh and eighth grade students competed in groups, in two different competitions. Each team of 4-6 students collectively read 20 books. At the competition, students flexed their brains to recall the book Title and Author for point values in order to win at the friendly competition.

The Relay Challenge began the event on Saturday, Jan. 18th at the Calaveras River Academy/Mountain Oaks gymnasium. Teams formed a single file line at one end of the gymnasium. Once prompted to begin, one team member at a time ran to the other end of the gym where an assigned team judge was waiting with a question. The team member had the option to answer the question or run back and confer with their team mates. This process continued until one team had answered all 20 questions. Points were tallied and the winning team was the “Slytherats” from Avery Middle School.

Family Feud was the second competition of the morning, teams were set up in a competition bracket. Dueling teams competed against each other, alternating between questions, point values were assigned for the correct answer of Title and Author of the book. Those who could remember story content sored through the competition. Although each team had 30 seconds to answer their question, students were producing answers is mere seconds. The “Hungarian Horntails” from San Andreas Elementary took to the win for Family Feud. Additionally, the “Hungarian Horntails” also took the trophy home for having the highest total combined points for both competitions.

“Everyone had so much fun at this new event,” said Superintendent of Schools Scott Nanik. Mr. Nanik served as the M.C. and the Reader for the event. “The students did a really good job remembering the content of the books they read, I was impressed., he said.

This event was successful due to the support of sponsors, volunteers and the student event coordinator. Sponsors included the Teichert Foundation, the Calaveras County Office of Education, Houghton Mifflin & Harcourt, and Ebbetts Pass Moose Lodge. For more information on the event and a full list of winners, visit www.ccoe.k12.ca.us/studentevents/

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The Winners Were

Relay Challenge Winners:
1st Place: Slytherats, Avery Middle School
2nd Place: Big Brains, Avery Middle School
3rd Place: Hungarian Horntails, San Andreas Elementary
4th Place: Cougars, Copperopolis Elementary
5th Place: Mighty Oaks, Mountain Oaks
6th Place (honorable mention) Acorns, Mountain Oaks

Family Feud Winners:
1st Place: Hungarian Horntails, San Andreas Elementary
2nd Place: Slytherats, Avery Middle School
3rd Place: Mighty Oaks, Mountain Oaks
4th Place: Big Brains, Avery Middle School
5th Place: Cougars, Copperopolis Elementary
6th Place (honorable mention) Acorns, Mountain Oaks
The Trophy Winners (total combined points):
Hungarian Horntails, San Andreas Elementary 6th Graders: Cooper Kacianich, Mary Whitney, Marion James, Molly Miller, and Dylan Turpen

CONGRATULATIONS!!