GFWC MO Reading Awards Program (RAP)
July 2011 Update
In July 2011, GFWC of Missouri, Inc. sponsored a RAP party by providing an Ice Cream Social for the girls at Missouri Girls Town. During the ceremony, fifteen girls reported reading 103 books. Three girls were pledges and six were new members. Six girls joined RAP earlier. One is reading her way to her fourth Century certificate. After the ceremony, the girls played games which involved finishing a given project within a minute.
The next RAP awards ceremony is at noon on Tuesday, November 15, 2011, when we are certain to congratulate more readers and applaud more books read.
GFWC of Missouri Reading Awards Program (RAP) Studies have shown that readers succeed. GFWC of Missouri sees that students at Missouri Girls Town are encouraged to develop their potential as readers. GFWC members join with the girls and their teachers to celebrate reading success. We call it the Reading Awards Program (RAP). RAP is modeled on the GFWC ESO Program but adapted for young reader. The purpose is to promote reading for pleasure as well as for education. The long term goal is to provide the student with a growing interest in her continued education through reading.
In December 2007, 30 girls were honored for reading 99 books.
In April 2008, we applauded for 19 girls and their 133 books.
There was cause for celebration in July 2008: 15 girls, 71 books.
October 2008 set a reading record: 161 books read by 24 girls.
In January 2009, 11 girls read 150 books, or an average of almost 14 books each.
May 2009 greeted us with 7 girls, who read 86 books.
In November 2009, 14 girls read 39 books. Thirteen of these girls were new to RAP!
In July 2010, 12 girls read 70 books. Ten were new to the Program.
November 2010 saw 8 successful girls reading 119 books.
Teachers help the girls select the books to read and evaluate written reports submitted by the girls. Awards are given upon completing the requirements for each level of RAP.
Girls pledge and become Members after reading and reporting on four books. Girls are Stars after reading and reporting on 9 books. And Torches…when they read and report on 5 more for a total of 14 books…And when they read 20 books, they awarded Century certificates.
Awards are given at a luncheon held at Missouri Girls Town twice annually. Each level has a certificate, and girls sometimes receive several certificates at the luncheon because they have read so many books. In addition to certificates and praise, girls can choose a gift to commemorate their reading effort.
GFWC of Missouri ESO and GFWC of Missouri members fund the RAP program by donations. Clubs and individual members give money, $5 to $25 Walmart gift certificates, and gifts for the girls. Since GFWC members have learned of the program it has gained in popularity and the specifics have been shared with GFWC Education Department Chairman, with the Presidents of GFWC of Minnesota, and GFWC of South Dakota, with the public library system and the public school system in Missouri.
Hallie Yundt Silver, head librarian at the Hannibal Public Library, serves as the RAP chairman for GFWC of Missouri.