Vicenza Library honors summer reading champions with ceremony and prizes

By Randall Jackson, USAG Italy Public AffairsAugust 7, 2025

The Vicenza Library celebrated the achievements of 338 summer reading program participants Thursday at Caserma Ederle.
The Vicenza Library celebrated the achievements of 338 summer reading program participants Thursday at Caserma Ederle. (Photo Credit: Randall Jackson) VIEW ORIGINAL

VICENZA, Italy — The Vicenza Library celebrated the achievements of 338 summer reading program participants Thursday at Caserma Ederle, recognizing nearly 395,000 minutes of reading across four age categories.

The Vicenza Library celebrated the achievements of 338 summer reading program participants Thursday at Caserma Ederle.
The Vicenza Library celebrated the achievements of 338 summer reading program participants Thursday at Caserma Ederle. (Photo Credit: Randall Jackson) VIEW ORIGINAL

Under this year’s theme, “Level Up at Your Library,” readers from the pre-reader, reader, teen and adult groups were honored for their dedication. Command Sgt. Maj. Ricardo Moreno, U.S. Army Garrison Italy’s senior enlisted leader, presented coins for excellence to the top readers in each category.

Command Sgt. Maj. Ricardo Moreno holds the youngest recipient, Aedyn, in the "Pre-Reader" category while his mom watches.
Command Sgt. Maj. Ricardo Moreno holds the youngest recipient, Aedyn, in the "Pre-Reader" category while his mom watches. (Photo Credit: Randall Jackson) VIEW ORIGINAL

“Knowledge is power,” Moreno told the crowd. “And the knowledge you get from reading will greatly impact your future.”

The Vicenza Library celebrated the achievements of 338 summer reading program participants Thursday at Caserma Ederle.
The Vicenza Library celebrated the achievements of 338 summer reading program participants Thursday at Caserma Ederle. (Photo Credit: Randall Jackson) VIEW ORIGINAL

Top honors went to: Aedyn (pre-reader) with over 2,000 minutes, Griffin (reader) with more than 10,000 minutes, Nathan (teen) with more 5,000 minutes and Shannon (adult) with over 13,000 minutes.

The Vicenza Library celebrated the achievements of 338 summer reading program participants Thursday at Caserma Ederle.
The Vicenza Library celebrated the achievements of 338 summer reading program participants Thursday at Caserma Ederle. (Photo Credit: Randall Jackson) VIEW ORIGINAL

The George Washington Lodge of the Freemasons donated more than $3,000 in prizes, ensuring nearly every participant received a reward.

The library’s next event, Preschool Story Time, will be held Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. Contact the Vicenza Library for details.

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