The Vicksburg Warren School District (VWSD) 2026 Reading Mania Tournament officially kicked off on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, and successfully concluded on Friday, February 27, 2026. School celebrations were held throughout the district from Friday, March 20 through Friday, March 27, 2026.
The Reading Mania Tournament began in 2023 as a district literacy initiative designed to ignite and sustain a love of reading among students in Kindergarten through 2nd Grade. Due to the tremendous success and impact of the initiative, the tournament expanded in 2024 to include 3rd Grade students. In 2026, the initiative expanded even further to include students in Fourth through Sixth Grade through the addition of Reading Mania 2.0. This year’s competition consisted of two major divisions: Reading Mania 1.0 for students in Kindergarten through Third Grade and Reading Mania 2.0 for students in Fourth through Sixth Grade. Throughout the five-week competition, students were challenged to read independently and take quizzes utilizing the Renaissance Accelerated Reader (AR) program. A districtwide goal of 60% or higher on AR quizzes was established to encourage both reading volume and comprehension success. Literacy continues to play a critical role in the academic growth, confidence, and future success of VWSD students.
The Reading Mania Tournament features four (4) primary competition categories: Free Throw, Three-Pointer, Half-Court Shot, and Slam Dunk. Each category is divided into three (3) competition levels: Class Category, Grade-Level Category, and School Category. In addition to these categories, several prestigious awards are presented to recognize outstanding individual and schoolwide achievements. These competitions and recognitions celebrate students’ dedication to reading while fostering excitement, engagement, and friendly academic competition across the district.
This year, over 3,000 students from 10 schools participated in the tournament, representing students in Kindergarten through Sixth Grade. Throughout the five-week competition, students showcased exceptional comprehension, critical thinking, vocabulary development, and reading stamina.
After an exciting and highly competitive tournament season, Sherman Avenue Elementary School reigns as the 2026 VWSD Reading Mania 1.0 Champion and Redwood Elementary School emerged victorious as the 2026 VWSD Reading Mania 2.0 Champion. Their outstanding dedication, perseverance, and commitment to literacy earned them the prestigious title of VWSD Reading Mania Champions. Congratulations to these exceptional schools for their remarkable accomplishment!
The excitement did not stop there! The tournament also recognized numerous outstanding individual and group achievements across the district, highlighting the incredible reading success of VWSD students and educators.
This year’s Reading Mania Tournament has truly highlighted the power of reading and the incredible talent within Vicksburg Warren School District. Congratulations to all the winners, participants, teachers, and families who made this event such a success!
The tournament's success was made possible by the dedication of librarians, students, teachers, and parents, whose commitment and initiative played a vital role in its achievement. A heartfelt thank you to the VWSD Office of Curriculum, Instruction, and Technology Integration, the VWSD Office of Federal Programs, the United Way of Central Mississippi, the Vicksburg Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, and the City of Vicksburg - Office of the Mayor for their generous support in making this event an unforgettable experience for all! A special thank you to Dr. La’Tonya Jackson, the District Reading Mania Coordinator, and the dedicated District Reading Mania Committee – Renee Harvey and Stacey Willoughby – for their hard work and leadership in organizing this incredible event. We extend our heartfelt appreciation to the incredible librarians who played a vital role in making the 2026 Reading Mania Tournament a success!