MOUNT VERNON – The Public Library of Mount Vernon and Knox County recently held its online Battle of Books Competition and crowned the team from East Elementary the winners.
The second-place finishers were from St. Vincent de Paul School.
Helpers were Marilyn Chidester, reader; Sharon Tharp, judge and scorer; and Christine Hohman and Sandra Finnell, timers.
Sponsors included the Public Library of Mount Vernon and Knox County, Friends of the Library and Domino’s Pizza.
A staple for nearly three decades, Battle of the Books is open to all Knox County fifth-graders, including those who are homeschooled. During the competitions, students field a series of questions from the judges and must name the book referred to in each question. Eighty-eight children’s books are on the list.
Visit www.knox.net/battle-of-the-books.html for more information.
Here is a list of the 2021 Battle teams and coaches:
Columbia: Coaches Jana Mussard and Nicole Justice
Team 1: Kendell Hinkens, Phoebe Mussard, Payton Lamb, Keegan Wolf and Makenna Lowe.
Team 2: Alex Toll, Nora Gotschall, Kyleigh Woods, Keagan Leasure, Savannah Burgess and Bella Eaton.
Dan Emmett: Julie Seng and Dee Rhodeback
Team: Abigail Thomas, Joclyn Lindsey, Anderson Seng, Avery Sears, Trinity Phillips and James Talbott.
East Elementary: Coach Katie Gentry
Team: Jenna Jurkowitz, captain; Zach Busenburg; Simon Ryals; Tessa Watterson; and Americus Frazee.
Pleasant Street: Coaches Chris Bartal and Mary Lou Jacklin
The W (for winning) Team: Kenna Dean, Nevaeh Morton, Khloe Reed, Madaline Tharp and Claire Ward.
The Panthers: Lexi Curphey, Jacob Davis, Grace Jones, Camden Pletcher and Jazmyne Staton.
Saint Vincent: Coach Kelly Duston
Team: Jo-Ann Odonkor, captain; Amelia Bleiler; Miles Colopy; Aiden Hawkes; Serafin Avizu-Soria; and Abigail Yocum.
