Pine Island Elementary Book Battle Team represents at district competition
Last Thursday, May 28, the brightest young readers from Pine Island Elementary School took to the stage to showcase their literary prowess at the annual Lee County School District Book Battle.
The 2026 P.I.E. team, comprised of Callie Messer, Isaac Montalbano, Bailey Ninh, Ryker Stark, Ava Vester and Aubree Williams, went head-to-head with schools from across the county in an intense, Jeopardy-style competition.
A test of literary knowledge
To reach the district level, these students dedicated months to mastering the Sunshine State Young Readers Award book list. The competition requires more than just a casual read; students must recall intricate plot points, specific character traits and subtle details from a wide variety of genres to answer rapid-fire questions under pressure.
Community partnership
The team’s participation was made possible through the continued support of the local community. A huge thank you is extended to the Bobby Holloway Jr. Memorial Foundation, which stepped up as the official sponsor for the team.
The foundation’s contribution ensured that these students had the resources and opportunity to compete at the highest level in the district, reinforcing their mission to support the youth of Pine Island in both athletics and academics.
Eagle pride
The Pine Island community and the faculty at P.I.E. are incredibly proud of the effort and grit displayed by these six students. Their commitment to reading and their ability to work as a cohesive unit under the bright lights of the competition reflected the very best of “Eagle Pride.”
“These students worked incredibly hard to prepare for this challenge. Seeing their dedication to reading and their teamwork in action is truly inspiring for our entire school,” Mrs. Nelson, the team coach noted.