DOVER, NH — All eyes were on the skies at Portsmouth Christian Academy as they held their Read-a-thon RE/MAX celebration April 21. The RE/MAX hot air balloon was at the PCA campus to reward the students in grades K through 12, parents, teachers, and staff who participated in Read-a-thon during the month of February. A PCA tradition, now in its 12th year, Read-a-thon was expanded to include high school students, staff, and parents during the month-long program which featured individual, class, and grade reading challenges. Collectively, participants logged in over 985,000 minutes during the program.

The top readers were recognized and rewarded with tethered balloon rides. Together with their parents, the students took turns being raised 100 feet in the air for a bird’s eye view of the PCA 50-acre campus and the Bellamy River. A ground crew of high school students and volunteer dads assisted the RE/MAX pilots with inflating, supporting, and deflating the hot air balloon. Following the flights, RE/MAX pilots Chris Mooney and Jeff Radcliff visited elementary and junior high classrooms to discuss the various aspects of ballooning, including its history and the scientific principles involved.

PCA fifth grade student Heather Chick claimed the top reading honors in grades K – 5, while sixth grader Kristin Durham was top reader for grades 6 – 8. Freshmen Abbie Cirasole and Emily Scire, along with junior Grace Ayer were the top readers in the high school.

“A huge thank you goes to Marcel Bartley, PCA parent and RE/MAX licensed broker. It was his idea to bring the balloon to PCA – and that was the spark for this year’s Read-a-thon hot air balloon theme,” said Donna Capern, PCA Librarian. “Marcel’s energy, enthusiasm and generosity made this whole balloon celebration possible. We sincerely thank him, RE/MAX, and their pilots for a truly unique and exciting Read-a-thon celebration.”

“If this doesn't inspire students to read for next year's Read-a-thon, then I don't know what will,” said junior Grace Ayer, avid reader and winner of second prize in the high school reading competition. Her mother, Britta Ayer, said she initially had not planned to ride in the balloon, “. . . but Grace had other plans for me. I am so glad she encouraged me to join her. It was such a neat experience!”

Portsmouth Christian Academy is located at 20 Seaborne Drive, Dover, NH. PCA offers a challenging academic curriculum from preschool through high school along with competitive athletic programs and other stimulating extra-curricular activities. For more information, please call 603.742.3617 or visit the school’s web site at www.pcaschool.org.
 


Portsmouth Christian Academy fifth grade student Heather Chick claimed top reading honors in grades K – 5 during the school’s 12th annual Read-a-thon last February. She is shown here taking a ride in the RE/MAX hot air balloon during a school celebration April 21. To her left is Elizabeth Marshall, fifth grade teacher and behind her is Dr. Connie Lawrence, Lower School Principal.


Brian Bell, Head of School at Portsmouth Christian Academy, shown here in full aviator attire, is pointing to the students gathered below while taking a ride 100 feet up in the RE/MAX hot air balloon April 21. To his right is fifth grade student Tim Glatter and seventh grade student Ella Glatter. This event took place to celebrate the top readers in PCA’s Read-a-thon last February.


Portsmouth Christian Academy eighth grade student Bryanna Zwicker, shown here with her dad Darrell Zwicker, enjoys a ride in the RE/MAX hot air during a school celebration April 21. This event took place to celebrate the top readers in PCA’s Read-a-thon last February.

For further information, please contact:
Patty Mynczywor, Development Associate
Tel:  603.742.3617, Ext. 141
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it