Turning Pages: PCHS Book Club

Ailani Maximo-Beltran - PCHS Bulletin 

The book club, a recent addition to Parrish Community High School, is in its second year. Sponsored by librarian Mercedes Wildman, the book club is a group of students interested in sharing their passion for reading with others.  

The club focuses on a list of books provided by the Florida Sunshine State Readers Award. They focus on these books because they will be going to a competition in April at Braden River High School, and they will be tested on their knowledge of the books.  

The students will have 15–30 questions to answer solely based on the book list. Competitors will only have about a minute to answer their question before moving on. Going to the competition will be Briana Rodrigo, Katie Sheffer, Mia Trahan, and Niemah Jackson. After placing 3rd place last year, they hope to place once again. 

Members are currently preparing for this year’s competition. They do this by meeting every Wednesday in the PCHS media center and gathering to discuss their current reading and their thoughts on it. As the group gathers, many have developed friendships with the other members. Sheffer stated, “The best part of book club has been forming friendships with others who share my passion for reading.”  

These students came together when Briana Rodrigo presented the idea to Wildman last December. Rodrigo had just moved from another school and had hopes of joining a book club again. Through some work and dedication, Wildman was able to set up the club and has grown so much from their first three original members.

Anyone interested in joining should reach out to Wildman in the media center. The media center is open before school, starting at 6:45am, during all lunches, and after school.