Major Emanuel of Foundation Mixed School emerged victorious at the 2026 Rotary Club of Antigua’s Book Reading Competition, securing first place with an impressive 135 points. The event, held on Saturday, March 7, brought together primary school students from across Antigua and Barbuda to celebrate literacy, confidence, and the power of storytelling.

Emanuel’s outstanding reading and presentation skills placed him ahead of a competitive field, highlighting the strong literacy culture nurtured at Foundation Mixed School and within the wider education community.

The competition challenged students to demonstrate reading proficiency, comprehension, and stage presence while engaging with the book Tete’s Butterfly by Antiguan and Barbudan author Floree Williams-Whyte. Participants read selected passages in the first round, while the second round tested their confidence and expression through a news-presenter style delivery.

Jayhem Joshua of TOR Memorial School earned second place with 125 points, and Eidrik Piper of Five Islands Primary School finished third with 117 points.

Speaking at the event, Rotary Club of Antigua President Elisa Graham stressed the importance of fostering a love of reading among young people. “Through books, students learn to think critically, dream boldly, and see the world through different perspectives,” Graham said. She emphasized the value of celebrating Caribbean authors, noting that local literature allows students to see themselves and their culture reflected in stories.

The Rotary Club of Antigua also acknowledged the generous support of sponsors and donors who helped make the competition possible, including ACB Caribbean, Cricket West Indies, Brydens, Harper’s Office Depot, JMVI Realty, Paper Clips, Tucker-on-the-Grill, and several Rotarians.