Fourth-grader takes reading challenge, wins

Augusta Preparatory Day School fourth grader Stefan O'Kula has been there, done that and has the t-shirt to prove it.

Stefan was among 139 Augusta Prep students who took the challenge to read 100 books from October to May.

In the end, 70 had achieved their goal, with another 33 - Stefan included - going on to join the ranks of the 200 book club. His favorite book, Stefan said, was Fellowship of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkein.

By the end of the program, 228,490 pages had been read.

"The total number of pages is quite amazing," said librarian Frances Redmond.

This is the second year orthodontist Michael Rogers has sponsored the program which is designed to encourage children in first through fourth grade to read.

Students in first and second grade were required to read 100 books or 1,000 pages for first graders and 2,000 pages for second graders. Third graders were required to read 3,000 pages, while fourth graders needed 4,000 to qualify.