Books battle goes to Kotzebue class

By Arctic Sounder Staff

Published in the Arctic Sounder
Mar 11th, 2010

The JNES Challengers from Mrs. Hulley's class in Kotzebue – the new district champions in the battle of the books – show their winning smiles. (Left to right) Kaisa Kotch, 6, was speaker, Kelly Thomas, Jr., 6, was thinker and Kaitlyn Strickland, 7, was thinker. (Courtesy Photo, Maija Lukin)
 

Victory is indeed sweet as the district champions enjoy some celebratory ice cream after winning the first grade district Battle of the Books championships against Kiana, Shungnak, Noatak, and Kivalina. (Courtesy Photo, Maija Lukin)
 

JNES Challengers Kaisa Kotch, 6, Kelly Thomas, Jr., 6, Kaitlyn Strickland, 7, from Mrs. Hulley's class in Kotzebue won the district championship for first grade over Kiana, Shungnak, Noatak, and Kivalina in the Battle of the Books.

Parent Maija Lukin said the champions had a few words they wanted to share upon their victory:

Kaisa Kotch: "Thanks mom for making us practice and making me read! And thanks to Auntie Elsa and Auntie Kookie for making these AWESOME tie-dyed shirts! And...thanks to Mrs. Hulley for giving us the books to take home, and..."

Kelly Thomas Jr.: "Uhm, thank you for letting us read the books, and for the shirts."

Kaitlyn Strickland: "Thank you for the shirts that we can keep and thank you for the books and always letting us practice the ones we got wrong!"