YALSA, WWE® names 2009 WrestleMania® Reading Challenge champions
Contact: Stephanie Kuenn
YALSA Communications Specialist
312-280-2128
NEWS
For Immediate Release
April 7, 2009
HOUSTON
– Christian Cervantes and Stephanie Diaz of Houston were crowned national champions in the WrestleMania® Reading Challenge, sponsored by the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), a division of the American Library Association, and World Wrestling Entertainment®, with support from Mattel.
In the grade 9-12 finals, Cervantes just beat fellow contestant Angelica Kruth of Munhall, Pa., in a race to answer the most questions correctly about the book “Shift” by Jennifer Bradbury. Other regional finalists in the grade 9–12 competition were Gavin Marriott, Edgemont, S.D.; William Matthew Haggerty, Snow Hill, N.C.; and Karolina Flores, El Monte, Calif..
Diaz successfully defeated her competition in the grade 7-8 competition by answering the most questions correctly about the book “Soccer Chicks Rule” by Dawn Fitzgerald. Other regional finalists in the grade 7–8 competition were Marissa Brann, Corydon, Ind.; Hansel Caraballo, N.Y.; Kyle Hoskins, Louisville, Ky.; and Kayla Bell, Los Angeles.;
In addition to being named national champions, Cervantes and Diaz won ringside seats to WrestleMania. Participating in the finals were WrestleMania Reading Challenge spokespeople and WWE Superstars Mark Henry™, MVP™, and Matt Hardy™ and WWE Diva Layla™. Bradbury served as the judge for the competition.
Ten regional winners in grades 7–8 and 9–12 from across the United States came to Houston as the guests of World Wrestling Entertainment. The national finals took place at the Houston Public Library the day before the 25th anniversary of WrestleMania.
More than 50,000 teens and tweens from more than 1,800 libraries participated in this year’s competition. Participants read 10 books, magazines or graphic novels over a period of 10 weeks, and then created a slogan and bookmark design that promoted reading at their library. The regional finalists were chosen by a national judging committee of YALSA members.
Also present as guests of the WWE were regional champions for grades 5-6: Jose Castro, Houston; Herlinda Aparicio, Overland Park, Kans.; Nicolas Covelli, Stormville, N.Y.; Donte Edwards, Alpharetta, Ga.; Neom Rose Chacon, El Mirage, Ariz..
For more than 50 years, YALSA has been the world leader in selecting books, films and audiobooks for teens. For more information about YALSA or for lists of recommended reading, viewing and listening, go to
www.ala.org/yalsa/booklists , or contact the YALSA office by phone, (800) 545-2433, ext. 4390, or e-mail,
yalsa@ala.org.
Additional information on
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: WWE) can be found at
wwe.com and
corporate.wwe.com. For information on its global activities, go to
http://www.wwe.com/worldwide/
Mattel, Inc., (NYSE: MAT, www.mattel.com) is the worldwide leader in the design, manufacture and marketing of toys and family products. The Mattel family is comprised of such best-selling brands as Barbie®, the most popular fashion doll ever introduced, Hot Wheels®, Matchbox®, American Girl®, Radica® and Tyco® R/C, as well as Fisher-Price® brands, including Little People®, Power Wheels® and a wide array of entertainment-inspired toy lines. Mattel, Inc. is recognized as one of 2009's "100 Best Companies to Work For" by FORTUNE Magazine. With worldwide headquarters in El Segundo, Calif., Mattel employs approximately 30,000 people in 43 countries and territories and sells products in more than 150 nations. Mattel's vision is to be the world's premier toy brands—today and tomorrow.
