Governor Morrissey Launches Statewide Reading Challenge for Young Students

Bluefield Beckley Oak Hill, WV, September 27, 2026 —

Governor Patrick Morrissey has initiated a new statewide reading program designed to engage elementary school students across West Virginia. The initiative, named the West Virginia Dolly Days Read-a-Thon, targets students in kindergarten through fifth grade.

The primary objective of the Read-a-Thon is to foster a greater appreciation for reading among young learners and to acknowledge the ongoing contributions of entertainer Dolly Parton to childhood literacy efforts. The program encourages students to actively participate in reading activities throughout the remainder of the year.

Participants in the West Virginia Dolly Days Read-a-Thon are tasked with a specific reading goal: to read a minimum of 25 books. This challenge is set to conclude on December 31st. Students who successfully meet the reading requirement by the deadline will be eligible to receive prizes. The specific details regarding the types of prizes available were not provided in the announcement. The contractor responsible for organizing or facilitating the prize distribution was also not named.

The program aims to create a positive environment around literacy and to encourage consistent reading habits among K-5 students statewide. Further details on how to register or track reading progress are expected to be made available through official state channels.

Story summarized from the original created by Jonathan Schwitzerlette on woay.com, see more information here.

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