The Smithfield Middle School Knights took home the top prize at the Johnston County Public Schools Middle School Battle of the Books Competition on Feb. 22.
Students on Battle of the Books teams from Archer Lodge Middle, Benson Middle, Cleveland Middle, Four Oaks Middle, McGee’s Crossroads Middle, Meadow School, North Johnston Middle, Princeton Middle, Riverwood Middle, Selma Middle, Smithfield Middle, and Swift Creek Middle participated in the competition held at the West Campus Conference Center.
Each team read a total of 27 books and answered questions to show their overall knowledge of the novels. The competition encourages a love of reading in middle school students by exposing them to high quality literature in a variety of genres.
The first place winner of the competition was Smithfield Middle, the second place winner was Riverwood Middle, and Swift Creek Middle and Cleveland Middle tied for third place.
Students on the winning team are Jude Reece, Catherine Cepin, Britney Arana, Silvia Franco, Stefani Robeson, Jessica Antonio-Juarez, Kevin Chen, Yuridia Hernandez Martinez, Alanna Massey, and Iyanna Sanders. The team was coached by Smithfield Middle media specialist Stephanie Worley and teacher Allison Beadle.
“This is the third year these students have competed together. Many of these students have been competing in the Elementary School Battle of the Books competition since third and fourth grade in different elementary schools and came together in the sixth grade here at Smithfield Middle School,” said Worley. “Their goal was to win this year since this would be the last year for our eighth graders.”
The Smithfield Middle Battle of the Books teams will compete in the regional competition on Friday, April 12, at the Harnett Health Sciences Center in Lillington.
