Tennessee students read nearly 940,000 minutes this summer as part of Tristar Reads, Tennesseans for Student Success’ (TSS) annual statewide reading contest. The total marked a nearly 40 percent increase from last year, with 484 participants combining for the second-highest reading total in the program’s history.¶
The Tennessee Firefly is a product of and supported by Tennesseans for Student Success.¶
Tristar Reads Winners
Four standout readers were recognized as winners, each earning a $1,000 college scholarship:¶
- Overall Winner: Delia Sigler, 11th grader, Tipton Rosemark Academy
- High School Winner: Brextyn Poetzel, ninth-grade homeschooler, Farragut
- Middle School Winner: Kristav Parajuli, fifth grader, Warren County Schools
- Elementary Winner: Noah Little, kindergarten homeschooler, East Knoxville
A Return Champion
Sigler, who spent nearly 33,000 minutes reading, returned to the contest after winning the high school category last year. The Millington high school student discussed her passion for books following her win last year.¶
“I read whenever I had a chance at home or in the car and tried to have a book with me wherever I went,” Sigler said in 2024. “I enjoy reading because a book tells a story built from the imagination of its author. I love seeing how a character develops and how an author ties together the plot.”¶
High School: Poetzel Reads Past Midnight
Poetzel logged 26,613 minutes, crediting late-night reading sessions and full-day binges for his success.¶
“It means a lot for me to win,” he said. “I’ve always enjoyed reading, and it feels amazing to get recognized for the amount of time I spend reading.”¶
His favorite summer read was Watchmen, which he described as “a superhero mystery book with tons of bloodshed and a touch of sci-fi,” alongside the Eragon fantasy series.¶
Middle School: Parajuli Plans Daily Goals
Parajuli tallied 23,646 minutes and emphasized strategy and consistency.¶
“I planned how much to read each day, and sometimes I ended up reading for as long as 8 hours,” he said.¶
His favorite book of the summer was Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince for its “twists, surprises, and secrets.”¶
Elementary: Little Finds Magic in Disney-Inspired Reads
Little, the youngest winner at just 5 years old, read 16,171 minutes.¶
“I’m so excited! I’ve never won a contest before,” she said. “I like to read all day and I listen to books in the car!”¶
She favored the Horsetail Hollow series, where “it is so much fun to see the characters meet Disney princesses.”¶
Promoting Literacy Across Tennessee
Launched in 2016, Tristar Reads encourages Tennessee students entering grades K-12 to read at least 20 minutes a day during summer break. This year, Atmos Energy and Vooks partnered with the program to provide free one-year subscriptions to hundreds of digital books¶
“We're proud of each participant in Tristar Reads for stepping up to the challenge,” said TSS President and CEO Lana Skelo. “Reading is a foundational part of every child's academic journey, and studies show it can truly make a difference during the summer break when too many students experience an academic slide.”¶
Winners will be honored at an awards ceremony later this month.¶
