Prior to Spring Break students at Desert Vista Elementary School, 3701 E. Broadway Road in Apache Junction, celebrated books and reading as part of their Love to Read Week celebration.

The students took part in a parade and participated in a bookmark design contest. Students submitted their entries and one winner from each class was chosen. The winning students received a certificate and some brand new books.

Winners were:

• Kindergarten: Jackson Hensley, Emery Spencer, Remy Hanley, Remington Round Robbins
• Future Readiness Program: Logan Gregory, Faith Caryl
• First grade: Liam Chamberlain, Annamaria Urias Miramontes
• Second grade: Delaney Garcia, Davi Mink Navarro, Natalie Schnabel
• Third grade: James Ward, Jacob King, Mieko Leen
• Fourth grade: Henry Solis Ixtabalan, Juan Gallardo, Ievee Smith
• Fifth grade: Jesse Wirries, Danny Flores
• Sixth grade: Alejandra Bailon, Sky Rogers, Emma Velazquez

Honorable mentions were:

• First grade: Nora Wolfe
• Second grade: Alison Edwards
• Third grade: Khloey Branham
• Fifth grade: Annaka Thomas
• Sixth grade: Amaya Villa

“‘I Love to Read Week’ is one of my favorites each year,” said Pat Smith, principal of DVES. “Not only because it is great to see the excitement on campus for reading, it is amazing to hear students talk about the books they are reading. This year I also did a surprise ‘Drop Everything and Read’ intercom announcement and the students took it very seriously as they got their favorite book to read during this designated time.”

Desert Vista is a “Be Kind” school where each day students and staff practice the 10 tenets that make a difference in the lives of others. Each day, DVES students proudly share how they actively demonstrate their kindness to others by being respectful, being compassionate, or simply by being a friend.

Registration is currently underway for all Apache Junction Unified School District schools. For more information, go to ajusd.org.

Editor’s note: Sally Marks is the public relations specialist for Apache Junction Unified School District.