SPECIAL TO THE PVT Superintendent Rob Roberts has lunch with Beatty "Doctor Rob's Ranger Readers." From left, they are Jasmine Olsen, Courtney Willis, Kimberly Knode, Haylee Faulkner, Jacob Rodriguez, Roberts, Shelby Chitren, Brianna Grundy, Myles Saunders, Ruthie Myers, and Kara Chapparo. Advertisement

BEATTY -- Based on the numbers, it would be fair to say that Beatty Elementary and Middle School is filled with students who love to read.

The school's students have dived into the "Doctor Rob's Ranger Readers" program head first.

Students who have read 100 books enjoyed their reward, lunch with Nye County School District Superintendent Rob Roberts, Monday, May 19.

"The kids felt really special when they ate with Dr. Roberts," Elizabeth Robbins, librarian said.

But that's just one tier of the reading promotion program's awards.

But they aren't the only young bibliophiles at the school.

The nine students who make up the first grade read a whopping 3,150 books.

Shelby Chibren read 611 of those on her own.

The kindergarten class also spent a fair share of time with their noses buried in books.

Top readers in that class include Emily Amao, who perused 185 books, Kimberly Knode, who read 360, and Miles Sanders who read 150.

"As a whole, our school has read a lot of books," Robbins said. "I'm proud to see the way our school took off with the program."

The first step in becoming a "Ranger Reader" is a test at the beginning of the academic year to assess the student's reading level.

Students also sign a pledge at the beginning of the year with their parents and promise to read 20 to 30 minutes every night.

Teachers also make allowances during school to give the kids some reading time.

After that, it's off to the library for the youth who is rewarded with different prizes after meeting certain benchmarks in the program.

After finishing each book, the student is tested on the comprehension of it.

For 25 books, the student receives a Ranger Reader card, for 50 books a pin is awarded, 100 books gains lunch with Rob Roberts, 150 books gets the young bibliophile a watch, and at 200 books the student gets a sweatshirt.

Students also receive a certificate for each tier that is reached.

"Doctor Rob's Ranger Readers" is a district-wide program.

Memorial Day service

The G.G. Sweet Veterans Memorial Park will host the annual Memorial Day service at 9:30 a.m. Monday, May 26, at the park, Gamebird Road and Money Street.

The service will honor Cpl. Hazel Wagenhoffer, a Pahrump World War II veteran and Master Gunnery Sgt. Robert Heine, a Marine Corps veteran of Korea and Vietnam.

Wagenhoffer will be the first woman Marine to be interred at Sweet's Park.

Ashes of both veterans will be placed down the burial tube by family members.

The color guard will be provided by the Pahrump Valley High School JROTC and the honor guard and burial flag presentations will be performed by Las Vegas USMCR Weapons Platoon and Inspection and Instruction staff.

Garage sale fundraiser

The Rock Church will have a huge garage sale, 7-4 p.m., Friday, May 23 and Saturday, May 24, 2730 S. Dandelion.

Lots of appliances, furniture and miscellaneous items will be available.

All proceeds will benefit youth mission trips for The Rock Church.

Good Sam organizing

The Good Sam RV Club will have an organizational meeting to form a new chapter, 4:30 p.m. June 7 at the Bob Ruud Community Center, 150 N. Highway 160, corner of 160 and Basin Road.

Local chapters are fun, with lots of comraderie, great friends and camping.

In order to start a new chapter, there must be five persons in attendance to be officers. The only requirements are that participants be Good Sam members.

Call Harry and Di Smith, 727-0483, or Bill and Linda Canavier, 537-6512 for more information.