The Panther Valley Elementary School recently held its annual 100 Book Challenge Celebration.

This was the ninth year the Ametek Foundation has sponsored the program at the school, where children in kindergarten through third grade participated.Along with the funding, the Ametek Foundation provides volunteer reading coaches who come to the school to read with the students. Throughout the school year, students are challenged to read independently a minimum of 30 minutes per day at school and then at least another 30 minutes per day at home with a reading coach.Over 450 students read more than 100 hours during the school year and were able to participate in the celebration. Students received a gold medal and their names were entered into a drawing for free admission passes to a local indoor play-yard.Ametek volunteer reading coaches who helped with the celebration included Kellie Miller, Sherry Sinclair, Barb Kester, Lois Girer and Chad Hammerly, along with Sandy Jelkovac from the American Reading Company.Jim Visnic, general manager at Ametek, was present for the school's celebration of the program.Diane Buchman, a first grade teacher, served as the coordinator of the program.