Giving recognition to principals, librarians, and educatorsScholastic Asia President Frank Wong thanking the educators for their noble work

Most of us probably have this image of the principal as strict and stern and the librarian as forbidding and unfriendly. At the awarding ceremonies of the Scholastic Readers Cup, however, principals and librarians were unmasked for what they truly are–joyous, happy people who are absolutely passionate about the work they love.

Now on its second year, the Scholastic Readers Cup is an interschool competition recognizing the efforts of principals, librarians, and educators to improve literacy rates in their schools. The participating schools were enrolled in Scholastic’s Assessment and Enrichment Program (AEP) and Independent Reading Program (IRP), both of which have helped increase student’s reading skills and ability. The Scholastic Readers Cup is spearheaded by Scholastic, the world’s largest publisher and distributor of children’s books.Scholastic Asia President Frank Wong with Scholastic International Publisher and Vice President Duriya AzizChristian Bautista serenading one of the educators

At the awarding ceremonies held at the Crowne Plaza in Pasig City, Scholastic Asia President Frank Wong thanked the educators for steering the younger generation towards the path to learning. The educators were also treated to a sumptuous lunch and entertained by balladeer Christian Bautista and the Ryan Cayabyab Singers.Some of the winners of the Scholastic Readers CupWinners beaming with pride and joyScholastic International Publisher and Vice President Duriya Aziz talks about preparing our children for the future

Winning the Scholastic Readers Cup were Santo Rosario Academy, St. Paul College Balayan, Iloilo Scholastic Academy, Holy Family Academy, Saint Joseph Institute, Saint Mary’s Angels College of Valenzuela, St. Thomas Academy, Saint James Academy, Joseph Marello Institute, Dr. Yanga’s Colleges, Inc., Sta Teresa College, and Notre Dame of Greater Manila. These schools’ students have read the most number of books out of all the participating educational organizations.

It was a day for honoring principals and librarians as well with Sr. Maria Yolanda Caridad Orpilla, SPC, of St. Paul College Balayan; Von Chester Calabia of OSJ Saint James Academy; and Peter Chan of Iloilo Scholastic Academy winning in the grade school category and Merlita Maranan of Santo Rosario Academy; Rev. Fr. Erwin Aguilar, OSJ, of OSJ Holy Family Academy; and Von Chester Calabia of Saint James Academy topping the high school category.

The Librarian Awards went to Maria Avelina Villadores of Holy Family Academy, Levie D. Tapiro and Maria Olga Lascano of Saint James Academy, and Rechie Sadora of Santo Rosario Academy.It was a special night for everybodyThe celebrations at the Crowne Plaza

Below is the complete list of winners of the Scholastic Readers Cup:

Scholastic Readers Cup Winners Category A: Santo Rosario Academy, first with 33,383 books; St Paul College Balayan, second with 26,980 books; and Iloilo Scholastic Academy, third place with 18,704 books Category : Holy Family Academy, first with 53,713 books; Saint Joseph Institute, second with 49,903 books; and Saint Mary’s Angels College of Valenzuela, third with 31,430 books Category C: St Thomas Academy, first with 108,500 books; Saint James Academy, second with 84,657 books; Joseph Marello Institute, third with 51,474 books Category D: Dr Yanga’s Colleges, Inc. with 57,265 books; Sta Teresa College, second with 43,387 books; and Notre Dame of Greater Manila, third with 22,111 books

Librarian Awards Maria Avelina Villadores, OSJ Holy Family Academy, first, student average of 86 books read ; Levie D. Tapiro and Maria Olga Lascano, OSJ Saint Jame Academy, second, 83 books read; Rechie Sadora, OSJ Santo Rosario Academy, third, 82 books read

Principal & Coordinator Awards: Highest Average Books Read: Grade School Sr. Maria Yolanda Caridad Orpilla, SPC, and Joy Magahis, St Paul College Balayan, first, student avaerage of 86 books read; Von Chester Calabia and Sherill Villanueva, OSJ Saint James Academy, second, 61 books read; Peter Chan and Presvir Juliano, Iloilo Scholastic Academy, third, 57 books read

Principal & Coordinator Awards: Highest Average Books Read: High School Merlita Maranan and Emelia Hernandez, OSJ Santo Rosario Academy, first, student average of 102 books read; Rev. Fr. Erwin Aguilar, OSJ, and Nora Beleno, OSJ Holy Family Academy, second. 100 books read; Von Chester Calabia and Sherill Villanueva, OSJ Saint James Academy, third, 96 books read

Principal & Coordinator Awards: Highest Average Lexile Growth: Grade School Helen Villanueva and Judy Lee Carlos, MGC New Life Christian Academy, first, student average reading growth of 142 Lexile; Aurea Villareal and Marita Portacion, Immaculate Conception Academy-Greenhills, second, student average reading growth of 141 Lexile; and Katherina Flores, Atheneum School, third, student average reading growth of 133 Lexile

Principal & Coordinator Awards: Highest Average Lexile Growth: High School Lorelei Aunario, Falcon School, first, student average reading growth of 85 Lexile; Sr. Aileen Bonifacio, SPC, and Reymond Mosquito, St. Paul University Surigao, second, student average reading growth of 76 Lexile; and Eufracia Rocha and Winnie Polong, Saint Francis School, third, student average reading growth of 74 Lexile