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City of Jacksonville

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group photo of River City Readers top student readers

MAYOR DEEGAN ANNOUNCES FIRST-YEAR WINNERS OF MAYOR DEEGAN’S RIVER CITY READERS

January 27, 2025
Today, Mayor Deegan honored the top 25 youth and adult readers in the city at a special event commemorating the first year of River City Readers, her landmark literacy initiative. The mayor created River City Readers as a citywide challenge to help more Duval County students read at grade level. The mayor’s literacy program is intended to support a commitment to growing jobs and spurring economic development, improving health and public safety, deepening the city’s talent pool, and fostering a love of learning in all citizens.
For the past year, Jacksonville readers of all ages have logged their reading minutes each day in the free Beanstack app. Hundreds of students and adults have participated, collectively reading nearly 3 million minutes citywide over the past twelve months. The first year’s top readers were recognized at a City Hall ceremony, and honored with prizes including iPads, Icemen tickets, and books from Mayor Deegan’s new River City Readers bookmobile.
 
“Reading opens doors to new worlds, sparks our creativity, and empowers us with the knowledge to shape the future,” said Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan. “The River City Readers challenge is just the beginning of a journey toward lifelong learning, and these students aren’t just winners today – they’re the future leaders, thinkers, and innovators of our city.”
 
The winning youth readers are:
Pre-K
Evelyn Cawley, Anchor Academy Elementary School
Tavi McCarty, Melrose Preschool
Kaya Rasmusen-Li, Jax Beach Elementary School
Owen and James Straker, Pre-K
 
Ages 6-10
Beau Archer, Jacksonville Country Day School
Hayden and Heaven Fusilier, R.L. Brown Gifted and Talented Academy
Ada Rolon, Homeschooler
Castiel Strickland, Northwestern Legends Elementary School
Kingston Wiltshire, Arlington Heights Elementary School
 
Ages 11-14
Felix Andonie, San Jose Prep
Frederick Mitchell, KIPP Impact Academy
Travis Muller, Bridge to Success Academy
Ro Rolon, Homeschooler
Emmanuel Shaban, Northwestern Legends Elementary
 
Ages 15-18
Kendrick Battle, Frank H. Peterson Academies
Madison Holst, Homeschooler
Kendra Kirby, Frank H. Peterson Academies
Skye Nash, Douglas Anderson School of the Arts
Ian Peppers, Frank H. Peterson Academies
 
The winning adult readers are:
Delores Johnson
Laila Mai Nguyen
Adam Mattheus
Jennifer Mattison
Grace Ortiz
 
As River City Readers continues into its second year, Mayor Deegan will bring her message of literacy and love of reading into every neighborhood in Jacksonville via the new bookmobile she unveiled at today’s event. The bookmobile is paid for entirely through private donations from the Lucy Gooding Foundation and PNC Bank.
 
“I couldn’t be more thrilled to support readers, as we celebrate their commitment to expanding their minds, building their imaginations, and developing lifelong reading habits, noted Mayor Deegan.”
 
Photos of the event are available here: RCR Challenge Winners | Flickr. Please credit COJ/Wes Lester