Read To The Final Four Initiative Celebrates 34,000 Arizona Third Graders Reading Over 6.1 Million Minutes

PHOENIX, March 29, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --

WHO:  In January 2017, Helios Education Foundation and the Phoenix Final Four Local Organizing Committee, the nonprofit organization hosting Arizona's inaugural NCAA Final Four championship, launched the Read to the Final Four initiative, a statewide reading competition for every third grader in Arizona. The competition mimics the March Madness bracket with schools around the state advancing every two weeks based on the number of minutes read.

WHAT:  To date, more than 34,000 Arizona third graders from 394 schools have accessed over 5,500 digital books and read more than 6.1 million minutes combined, using the online digital reading platform myOn. Some 1,300 third graders will gather at the Phoenix Convention Center on Friday where the winning schools will be announced from the Read to the Final Four regional winners. The third graders will then celebrate their achievement at the Final Four Fan Fest presented by Capital One.

Read to the Final Four Regional Winners:

• Arts Academy – Estrella Mountain – Tolleson, Arizona
• Desert Mountain School – Desert Hills, Arizona (North Maricopa County – Anthem/Cave Creek)
• Parkridge Elementary School – Peoria, Arizona
• Mary C. O'Brien Elementary – Casa Grande, Arizona

WHERE:  Hall 1, Buick Arena — Phoenix Convention Center, 100 N 3rd St, Phoenix, AZ 85004

WHEN: 10:15 am on Friday, March 31, 2017(media credentials required)

WHY THIS MATTERS: Research shows that reading proficiently by the end of third grade is a bellwether for future academic success in middle school, high school and beyond. Helios Education Foundation invested in the Read to the Final Four initiative to inspire Arizona third graders about the importance of reading and to use the excitement surrounding the Final Four to encourage student achievement in the spirit of the Final Four competition.  

PHOTO/VIDEO OPPORTUNITIES: 1,300 Arizona third graders and accompanying teachers representing the four regional winning schools; media availability with Dawn Rogers, Executive Director, Phoenix Final Four Local Organizing Committee and Helios Education Foundation, including Founding Chairman, Vince Roig, and President & CEO, Paul Luna.

MEDIA CREDENTIALS: Media credentials are required for this event. Click here to request credentials.   Pick up your credentials at the event on Friday, March 31.

ABOUT HELIOS EDUCATION FOUNDATION: Helios Education Foundation is dedicated to creating opportunities for individuals in Arizona and Florida to achieve a postsecondary education. Our work is driven by our four fundamental beliefs in Community, Equity, Investment and Partnership, and we invest in initiatives across the full education continuum. 

In Arizona, where Latino students comprise the largest percentage of the K-12 public school population, the Foundation is implementing its Arizona Latino Student Success initiative focused on preparing all students — especially students in high poverty, underserved Latino communities — for success. Through our Florida Regional Student Success Initiative, Helios is helping underserved, minority, first-generation students from the state's large population centers in Miami, Orlando and Tampa achieve a postsecondary education.

Since 2006, the Foundation has invested close to $190 million in education programs and initiatives in both states. To learn more about our efforts, visit us online at www.helios.org.

Media Contacts:
Ian Smith, Helios Education Foundation
 813-541-9046 | ismith@helios.org

Rebecca Lindgren, Helios Education Foundation
602-828-7061| rlindgren@helios.org

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/read-to-the-final-four-initiative-celebrates-34000-arizona-third-graders-reading-over-61-million-minutes-300431521.html

SOURCE Helios Education Foundation