Munhall youth wins chance to compete in the WrestleMania Reading Challenge National Finals

Ten regional winners in grades 7-8 and 9-12 from across the United States won a chance to compete in the WrestleMania Reading Challenge National Finals on Saturday, April 4 at the Houston Public Library.

Five regional champions from grades 5-6 will also be guests at the finals.

Each regional winner won a trip for two to Houston, tickets to the 25th anniversary of WrestleMania at Reliant Stadium on Sunday, April 5 and $2,000 for their sponsoring library.

The WrestleMania Reading Challenge is sponsored by the Young Adult Library Services Association, a division of the American Library Association and World Wrestling Entertainment with support from Mattel. More than 1,800 libraries participated in this year's competition.

Students in grades 7-8 and 9-12 will compete in a trivia contest to win the WrestleMania ringside tickets. The finalists will answer questions posed by WWE superstars and Divas.

The 2009 regional winners are: Grades 9-12: Christian Cervantes, Houston; Gavin Marriott, Edgemont, S.D.; Angelica Kruth, Munhall, Pa.; William Haggerty, Snow Hill, N.C.; Karolina Flores, El Monte, Calif.

Grades 7-8: Stephanie Diaz, Houston; Marissa Brann, Corydon, Ind.; Hansel Caraballo, New York; Kyle Hoskins, Louisville; Kayla Bell, Los Angeles.

Grades 5-6: Jose Castro, Houston; Herlinda Aparicio, Overland Park, Kansas; Nicolas Covelli, Stormville, N.Y.; Donte Edwards, Alpharetta, Ga.; Neomi Rose Chacon, El Mirage, Ariz.

''We're always looking for ways to spread the word that reading is fun and the best habit you can have, and this challenge is one more way to do that,'' said Sarah Cornish Debraski, YALSA president. ``The incentive -- to participate in the WrestleMania Reading Challenge and possibly attend WrestleMania -- is a highly motivating one and one which allows librarians to reach out to teens who may not already have a love of reading.''

Gary Davis, WWE vice president, Global Public Affairs, said: ::We expect the competition to be fierce with two national titles on the line. It's nerve-wracking for the finalists, but with the participation of the WWE Superstars and Divas, the kids all have fun, which is what reading books should be all about.''

Tim Kilpin, general manager for Mattel Brands and board member of the Mattel Children's Foundation, added: ``Mattel is proud to partner with WWE on this terrific initiative. Literacy is a Mattel Children's Foundation key priority, and this Reading Challenge engages children through an exciting form of entertainment they love -- WWE.''

BY JIM VARSALLONE
Miami Herald
jvarsallone@MiamiHerald.com