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Books, brackets and back-to-back wins for Poplin Elementary

Union County Public Schools wrapped up its biggest reading celebration—Books and Brackets 2025! On March 28, 1,058 students, along with principals, teachers and special guests gathered at Wingate University’s Cuddy Arena to cheer on the top reading schools in this high-energy, March Madness-inspired literacy showdown. Watch the recap!

Students read a collective six million minutes, with the Final Four schools contributing 1.6 million minutes towards that total.

From the moment the buses rolled in, energy was high as the Elite Eight schools gathered in full force, ready to cheer on their teams and celebrate their reading accomplishments. The Monroe High drumline set the tone, welcoming students with powerful beats as they stepped into an arena filled with music, cheering and school spirit. Wingate University athletes and cheerleaders were on hand to high-five students as the DJ kept the crowd excited with tunes.

And who better to kick things off than our dynamic host, FlyTy? Returning for his fifth year, FlyTy took the mic to welcome everyone to the ninth annual Books and Brackets Celebration. With a rallying cry for all the super readers in the building. The competition was fierce—what started with 30 schools was narrowed down to the Final Four.

tendent Dr. Andrew Houlihan recognized the incredible efforts of students, teachers and families who made the event possible. A huge shout-out went to Wingate University for hosting, along with the many generous sponsors who support literacy and student success in UCPS.

When the atmosphere seemed at its peak, the beloved school mascot dance challenge excited everyone and got them to their feet. The mascots hit the floor in a friendly competition, joined by a special guest—Clifford the Big Red Dog. The crowd cheered and laughed as the mascots busted out their best moves.

But that was not all—students and staff faced off in an old-school relay race, bringing out the competitive spirit in a lively, fast-paced game. Before making their way to the basket to score, participants had to put on Wingate University uniforms first—the shorts and shirts were laid out on the court and players had to quickly suit up before continuing the race. The energy was through the roof as they raced against each other, cheered on by their peers. It was all about teamwork, fun and school pride.

Special guest speaker Jaquan Edwards, a Wingate University graduate student and mentor, took the floor to share an inspiring message about the power of reading and leadership. Edwards reminded students that reading is a skill that will take them far in life.

Dr. Houlihan took to the court to recognize two outstanding students for their dedication to reading. As the crowd cheered, he introduced Samuel Yabes from Hemby Bridge Elementary and Lucas Brown from Poplin Elementary, the top readers from this year’s Elite Eight schools. Their hard work and love for books set them apart in the competition, making them the top Books and Brackets readers for 2025. In recognition of their achievement, both students were awarded a brand-new iPad. The arena erupted in applause as Dr. Houlihan congratulated them.

The moment everyone had been eagerly awaiting finally arrived—the announcement of the rankings:

Fourth place: Indian Trail Elementary
Third place: Weddington Elementary
Second place: Sandy Ridge Elementary

And for the second year in a row, the 2025 Books and Brackets champion is Poplin Elementary!

Each of the top three schools received a $1,500 check to support their literacy programs. Poplin Elementary earned a $5,000 award to enhance its reading program. In addition to the cash prize, Poplin also received books from Scholastic and professional development opportunities for its teachers. Poplin celebrated in style as the principal, Shanda Lauri, cut down the net—a Books and Brackets tradition.

“We were thrilled to make the Final Four, but winning for the second year in a row has been incredible—it’s made the kids absolutely ecstatic, and I’m just as excited!" said Lauri. "What I love most about Books and Brackets is how our students truly embrace it. Our K-2 students support our 3-5 students by making posters and reading with each other, creating a school-wide experience. It’s more than just a competition; it brings our entire school together."

As students exited the arena to the sound of music and cheers, it was clear that Books and Brackets 2025 had been a slam dunk for literacy. The energy of the event left everyone eager for next year's celebration!

UCPS would like to thank the following businesses and community organizations that supported Books and Brackets.