This year I was lucky enough be involved with selecting our 2012 Scholastic All Stars. The All-Star Awards were created to honor struggling students who have learned to read despite difficult odds. When reading through the All- Star Award nominations I was quickly reminded of how rewarding it is to work at Scholastic and see kids succeed in school.

I was also reminded that students are confronted with an increasing number of obstacles to learning: more students are homeless, have learning disabilities or behavioral issues, or face language barriers. And teachers say more students are struggling with reading – the key skill they need to succeed in school and in life.

The 2012 All-Star Award winners are a testament that it is never too late to catch up and become a successful student. With the help of their dedicated teachers and the reading intervention programs READ 180 and System 44 these 12 students are truly All-Stars!

And the winners are… (drum roll please)

The 2012 System 44 All-Star Award winners are:

Abdullah Azad, South End Middle School, Springfield, MA

Jose Negron, Equality Charter School, Bronx, NY

Jumel Otiankouya, Indian Trail Middle School, Olathe, KS

The 2012 READ 180 All-Star Award winners are:

 Elementary School

Lizbeth Ramirez, McKinley Elementary, Petaluma, CA

Brandalynn Jaramillo, Elwood Elementary, Elwood, IN

Gustavo Reyes, Elaine Wynn Elementary, Las Vegas, NV

Middle School

Ludreche Bouanga, Fondren Middle School, Houston, TX

Jerilyn Couch, Shelbyville Middle School, Shelbyville, IN

Kaleb Hansen, South Middle School, Joplin, MO

High School

Crystal Cunningham, Winslow High School, Winslow, ME

Murray Gardner, Salt River Accelerated Learning Academy, Scottsdale, AZ

Joseph Rodriguez, Montclair High School, Montclair, CA

For more information on the 2012 winners please visit our media room for the full press release.