Huxford Elementary School fifth-grader Taylor Respress is preparing to compete for a $10,000 savings bond using only her reading comprehension and writing skills.

Last month, Respress placed in the top ten of the Hoar Program Management/GoDaddy.com Reading and Writing Contest.
Respress beat out thousands of other students who submitted entries to the contest to earn her spot in the contest finals Monday, Nov. 29, in Mobile.

Respress initially placed in the contest’s top ten with an essay on the book “Number the Stars.” During the competition’s final stage, she will be given a short book to read and will be required to write a brief summary on that book in front of a panel of judges to determine which place she will be awarded. According to contest rules, Respress will leave the competition with no less than a $500 savings bond.

How does the young essay writer feel about so much sudden attention?

“It’s awesome,” she said.

But Respress is not letting all of her success go to her head. She said, should she win, the money will go towards her future education.

“If I win the $10,000 I’m going to put it in my college account,” she said.

HES Principal Donna Silcox said she is thrilled to see one of her students achieve such a competitive position.

“We’re all so proud of her,” Silcox said. “It’s a great chance for her. This is a big deal.”

Respress is currently preparing for her bid day by reading yet another book, “The Egypt Game,” for some practice for her big day.