5 million words read

Reaching a milestone takes discipline and determination.
Three avid readers in Vermilion Parish displayed those traits this year, each reading more than 5 million words.
During the school board meeting on April 23, the Vermilion Parish School System recognized the top readers in the parish. That list includes:
• 1st Place (5,535,080 words) - Hadley Dumond, Forked Island E. Broussard
• 2nd Place (5,406,661 words) - Graecyn Diz, Cecil Picard Elementary School
• 3rd Place (5,189,256 words) - Valerie Schexnider, Erath Eiddle School
• 4th Place (4,540,387 words) - Isabella Breaux, North Vermilion Middle School
• 5th Place (4,172,642 words) - Julien Leger, Erath Middle School
“These students reached one million words,” Assistant Superintendent Kim Etie said, “and they just kept reading.
“This is a significant achievement.”
Dumond, who has read a previous best two million words, is proud of her new heights.
“It feels really rewarding to have reached 5 million words,” Dumond said. “It took a lot of time and dedication, but I enjoyed the process. I didn’t start with a specific number in mind. I just wanted to read as much as I could; it became a goal to be the top reader at my school, and I’m proud that my hard work paid off.”
Diz, who also read a previous best of two million words, shares that sense of accomplishment.
“Reading over five million words is a satisfying feeling,” Diz said. “It has made me feel like I can accomplish anything I set my mind to.”
Etie set out with her own goal for the year: to increase the Million Word Reader initiative in the parish. Last year, the school system recognized 50 students who reached that number or more. Etie happily announced big strides for this school year.
“The schools really stepped up this year,” Etie said. “With the schools and librarians pushing it, we are celebrating 73 kids in our district.
“I am excited about that.”
She made a point of reference to what reading a million words really looks like.
“All seven ‘Harry Potter’ books together are 1.1 million words,” Etie said. “That gives you a baseline. To read this many words is significant.”
For Diz, it’s not a chore.
“Reading is something I truly enjoy,” Diz said. “I typically read during all of my free time. My mom inspired me to become an avid reader. We love going to bookstores together.
Diz’s favorite books are from the “Wings of Fire” series by Tui T. Sutherland.
“That is the series that really started my journey with reading for enjoyment,” Diz said.
Dumond’s favorites are “The Hunger Games” and the “Twilight” series.
“Both series kept me interested and made it hard to put the books down,” Dumond said.
Like Diz, Dumond doesn’t find it difficult to pick up a book in the first place. That zest for reading mirrors other aspects of her life.
“I’ve always been very dedicated to my schoolwork,” Dumond said. “I’ve had perfect attendance for multiple years and was honored to be named Student of the Year at my school.
“I think that the same commitment shows in my reading habits because I make sure to use my time wisely and keep learning whenever I can.”