South Georgia Students to Attend Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl at VSU Feb. 8

VALDOSTA — Approximately 300 South Georgia students will face off in a challenge of reading mastery when Valdosta State University’s Ruby R. Sullivan Literacy Center hosts the 2020 Southern Regional Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl on Saturday, Feb. 8. The competition will begin at noon in the Education Center and the Jerry and Kay Jennett Lecture Hall. 

Over the course of seven rounds, participating students will test their knowledge of books from either the 2019-2020 Georgia Book Award (elementary and middle school students) or the Georgia Peach Book Award for Teen Readers (high school students) nominees lists. Two teams will go head to head during each fast-paced round, answering 10 questions using a quiz show-style system to “buzz in” with the correct answer and earn points.

The elementary, middle, and high school teams with the highest overall scores at the end of the Southern Regional Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl will move on to compete at the divisional level on Saturday, March 7, at Georgia Southern University. The state final will be held on Saturday, March 28, at the University of Georgia.

The Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl is open to students in grades fourth through 12^th. It was initiated by its namesake, who, as a media specialist in DeKalb County, noticed that a little healthy competition helped her school’s students to become much more enthusiastic about reading. She died in 2014.

VSU’s Ruby R. Sullivan Literacy Center offers several programs designed to help children in the elementary grades build literacy skills, gain confidence, and be more motivated to want to read for both pleasure and study. Its motto is, “Every Child Can Read and Write.”

Contact the Ruby R. Sullivan Literacy Center at (229) 333-5645 or slc@valdosta.edu to learn more.

Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl Benefits

• Increases standardized test scores

• Increases reading comprehension

• Develops an appreciation for literature

• Enhances verbal communication skills

• Promotes cooperation 

• Builds self-esteem

• Develops team spirit

• Improves academic achievement

On the Web: