Dyess youth tops the charts Published June 1, 2012 By Senior Airman Robert Hicks 7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- After seeing his peers excel in the One Page at a Time Program, one Dyess dependent vowed to do his best and top the list. Elisha Williams 8, son of Lt. Col. Trevor Williams, 7th Comptroller Squadron commander, did just that, finishing in the top 25 out of 2,640 participants, reading 147 books from January 2012 to March 2012. The One Page at a Time Program is a no-cost reading motivation program for children in kindergarten through 8th grade. Children create their own book lists from thousands of recommended titles, read the books, have their mentor sign their registration and reading log, and earn points and rewards for their literary successes. Individual youth receive recognition for their reading accomplishments. "Ever since I heard about the reading program last year, I wanted to be the top reader," Elisha said. Every 150 pages read equals one book. So if a youth reads a book that is 390 pages, they earn credit for reading two books. "Reading is not only the most important thing people learn to do, but it's a gateway to the world," said Lisa Cogar, school age coordinator. "It allows our mind to take us to a place we have never been before." For being in the top 25, Elisha received a $50 gift card to Barnes and Noble, an Air Force fleece blanket and a rubber watch. He plans to buy a Kindle with the gift card. Elisha explained he reads every time he gets a chance in school and at home while his mother reads his little brother bedtime stories. His favorite book to read is the Geronimo Stilton series.