Oleai’s presentation on “Beauty and the Beast” won $1,000 and a trophy.
It garnered 148 points, or four more than San Vicente’s which received $750 and the second place trophy.
San Vicente’s “The Lion King” also won the best producer and most spirited awards.
Garapan Elementary School’s “Hansel and Gretel” placed third with 127 points and was awarded $500 and a trophy.
Oleai was the first place winner in the first and second Parade of Books in 2006 and 2007, but placed second last year.
School principal Glenn Muna said the students were the ones who chose the book they presented and spent two weeks to practice.
“This is the third time we won first place and I am so excited and proud of my students,” he said.
He also thanked the teachers and the parents for the support they extended.
Muna said they will buy more books with the money they won from the contest.
“This is one way of promoting reading to the students and to the parents even outside school work,” Muna said.
The other participating schools were Grace Christian Academy which performed “The Little Mermaid”; Tanapag Elementary School, “Poems for Two Voices” by Paul Fleischman; and Koblerville Elementary School, “The Three Little Hawaiian pigs and the Magic Shark.”
Each received a consolation prize of $200.
The participants were judged based on their closeness to timeframe, costume depiction, enthusiasm, vocal clarity, and overall adherence to the theme.
Rotary Club of Saipan president Ben Babauta said the contest’s objective was to promote literacy and reading among students.
“We are anticipating a more colorful presentation with more participants next year,” he said.
Rotarian Victoria Concepcion said although three schools pulled out at the last minute — Dandan, Gregorio T. Camacho and Kagman elementary — the program was still a success.
“We would like to thank all the participants, the Rotarians, and the sponsors that made the Parade of Books successful —Delta, Northwest Airlines, Pacific Islands Club, Triple J, and other individual donors,” Concepcion said.
