DoWEA Europe South Middle Schools Host Book Battle
MANAMA, Bahrain – Students across the Department of War Education Activity (DoWEA) Europe South district came together in April for an exciting academic competition: the first annual Book Battle. Reflecting a strong spirit of district‑wide cooperation, the event was conceived by Bahrain Middle High School Information Specialist Meg Herrera and Sigonella Middle High School Information Specialist Stephanie Pike and realized through collective collaboration of secondary information specialists, bringing together middle school readers from across the region to test their knowledge and celebrate a shared love of literature.
Participating schools included teams from Aviano MHS led by Tina Lake, Bahrain MHS led by Meg Herrera (with students joining from three different locations worldwide), Naples MHS led by Chris Anderson, Rota MHS led by Lori Lockwood, Vicenza MS led by Dana Keller, and Sigonella MHS led by Stephanie Pike. Despite the distance between them, students connected through their enthusiasm for reading and teamwork.
In preparation for the competition, students read a total of ten selected titles, covering a variety of genres and themes. The Book Battle challenged participants with detailed questions designed to test comprehension, memory, and critical thinking.
The competition was fierce, with students demonstrating impressive dedication and literary knowledge. The top individual performers were Grayce (Rota), Mollie (Aviano), and McKenzie (Aviano), each standing out for their exceptional mastery of the material.
Among the participating schools, the top overall performing team was Aviano MHS, earning recognition for their outstanding teamwork and preparation.
Focused collaboration among the Information Specialists was instrumental in the successful planning and execution of the Book Battle, demonstrating the importance and impact of teamwork. The dedicated time set aside for collaboration proved invaluable in aligning efforts, strengthening coordination, and achieving a successful outcome.
Organizers hope this inaugural event will become a lasting tradition, encouraging students to read widely, think critically, and connect with peers across the region. With such a strong debut, the future of the DODEA Europe South Book Battle looks bright.
