Reading Olympics Will Be Aided by Grant for $2,450

Sixty-Sixth Street Elementary School has been awarded a $2,450 grant from the Kaiser Permanente Watts Counseling and Learning Center to support the school’s annual reading Olympics.

The grant will be used to help purchase new books for the school as well as supplement the reading program, said Principal Carmen S. Garner.

Boxer Paul Gonzales was among a handful of former Olympic gold medalists who presented medals to students who excelled in reading, including this year’s overall winner, sixth-grader Alexander Cornejo, during recent ceremonies.

Started in 1984 to mark the arrival of the Olympic Games in Los Angeles, the program encourages children to read through a year-round contest and invites Olympic athletes to present winners with medals.