Reading All-Stars Celebrated Monday Night

The Greenville Drive announced the successful completion of its 2013 Reading All-Stars program with plans to recognize students who accomplished the program's reading goals during special celebration games at Fluor Field. Qualifying students from Greenville County elementary schools and Pickens County elementary and middle schools qualifiers will be recognized on Monday, April 15th, with Greenville County middle and Spartanburg Districts 2, 5, 6 and 7 elementary and middle schools qualifiers to be recognized on Sunday, May 19th.

Over 39,000 students from 103 elementary and middle schools across Pickens, Greenville and Spartanburg counties voluntarily took part in the Drive's 6th annual reading incentive program which is designed to encourage leaning and education success through reading. Students were challenged to read a set number of extra-curricular books during February and March in order to receive free admission and special recognition at Drive games with other Reading All-Stars.

At the upcoming recognition games, more than 8,000 qualifying students will have the opportunity to parade on the field before the game and to participate in between innings entertainment events. In addition, students who take part in the pre-game ceremony will be recognized with a Drive - Michelin Reading All Star commemorative t-shirt.

Michelin North America has been the title sponsor of the Drive Reading All Stars Program since its inception in 2008. Herb Johnson, director of community relations for Michelin North America, noted, "This program provides a great way to help the young people of our community connect something as important as reading and education with an experience that is as cool as baseball and professional sports." Johnson added, "Having the Drive players involved provides an added dimension of encouragement, motivation and fun to this reading challenge."

Bobbie Bentley, Spartanburg District 5 Public Relations Director, added, "The program has been extremely well planned and executed each year, and our school district has been very pleased with the enthusiasm we've seen from our teachers in terms of their participation. Our students have clearly risen to the challenge and it is exciting to have this unique incentive to work with in our ongoing efforts to make reading a rewarding experience for them."

Drive president and co-owner, Craig Brown commented on this year's program's results noting, "The participation and success we have seen with young readers across the Upstate has continued to increase each year and we are delighted with the positive impact the program is having." Brown remarked on the significance of the Reading All-Stars Program, saying, "We know that reading skills are absolutely critical to a student's ability to succeed and stay in school, and moving the needle here has a positive impact on both the quality of life and the economic prosperity the Upstate Community is so committed to sustaining."