The Newark Public Library held a special awards ceremony on September 11, marking the end of another successful Prudential Foundation Summer Reading Challenge. This premier reading and literacy program encourages Newark’s children, in grades pre-K through 8, to include the adventure of reading in their summer fun activities. It rewards their efforts with popular events and a step system of prizes. Since its inception, participating children have read more than 70,000 books.

The theme for the 1999 program was READ and the force is with you! All participants who read and reported on at least five books received prizes and achievement certificates. The top winners in the specified categories also received personal audio equipment.

The over-all winners, those who read and reported on 200 books, were Riya Thomas, Raymond Walker, Adrian Alcantara, Paul Gomes, Justin Niemczyk, Rachel Niemczyk, Diana Osorio, Nathalie Sanchez, Aoi Uchima, Chiamaka Ekweghariri, Chiemeka Ekweghariri, Uchechi Ekweghariri, and D'Ondre Robinson.

The branch library winners were Riya Thomas (Branch Brook); Raymond Walker (Clinton); Kiesha Perry (Madison); Cusaj Thomas (Main Library); Adrian Alcantara, Paul Gomes, Justin Niemczyk, Rachel Niemczyk, Diana Osorio, Nathalie Sanchez and Aoi Uchima (North End); Madeline Reyes (Roseville); Tanasha Driver (Springfield); Xavier Thomas (Vailsburg); Janine Delaney (Van Buren); Chiamaka Ekweghariri, Chiemeka Ekweghariri, Uchechi Ekweghariri and D'Ondre Robinson (Weequahic).

A special mention for high school readers went to Riya Thomas, Kiesha Perry, Chauncey Robinson, Dana Knowles, and Janine Delaney.

Prizes were also awarded to children who did the best job of coloring their theme posters. The top winners were Jacquan Perry (first place), Cusaj Thomas (second place), Kenny Delgado (third place).