Turning Pages, Changing Futures: ISWA Students Crowned Washington State Reading Champions

At Insight School of Washington (ISWA), reading is more than an assignment. It’s a pathway to opportunity, confidence, and future success. This year, that commitment paid off in a big way.

ISWA is proud to celebrate that the ISWA Eagles have been named Washington State Reading Champions in READBowl IX, a global literacy competition hosted by Read with Malcolm, the youth literacy initiative founded by Super Bowl champion and author Malcolm Mitchell.

A Championship Built on Dedication

Held from January 12, 2026 through Super Bowl Sunday, READBowl IX brought together more than one million students across all 50 states and 19 countries. All were competing with one shared goal: to read as many minutes as possible.

Over four weeks, ISWA students rose to the challenge, logging the highest average reading minutes per team member in Washington State to earn the championship title.

In total, 160 students from Hannah Munford’s classes participated, each contributing to a collective effort that showcased not only academic dedication, but personal growth.

More Than Minutes (Rather A Mindset Shift)

For Hannah Munford, Special Education Teacher and eSports Coach at ISWA, this achievement represents something much deeper than a competition win.

She approached READBowl with intentional conversations about why reading matters, not just in school, but in life.

“As to why this win was important for my students, it gave them hope that they could do something hard and still be successful at it while working towards fighting a system that is already set up to be more of a challenge for them,” said Mrs. Munford. “We talked openly about how lack of literacy skills can impact future opportunities, and that really opened their eyes to why we do what we do as educators.”

By connecting reading to real-world outcomes, Mrs. Munford helped students see literacy as a powerful tool that can shape their future in meaningful ways.

A Global Movement with Local Impact

Across the globe, students collectively logged more than 800 million reading minutes during READBowl IX, a testament to the growing movement to prioritize literacy and lifelong learning.

For Malcolm Mitchell, who personally struggled with reading through much of his early life, the mission is deeply personal.

“Winning a state championship is always prestigious,” Mr. Mitchell shared. “However, this year is especially notable given the incredible number of students who participated worldwide.”

At ISWA, that global movement translated into something tangible: confidence, engagement, and a renewed sense of purpose among students.

Building Momentum Beyond the Win

The excitement didn’t stop with READBowl. Mrs. Munford’s students are continuing their literacy journey by participating in March Madness poetry activities through Read with Malcolm, an initiative that encourages students to explore impactful poems and deepen their connection to reading.

This continued engagement reflects a broader goal: making reading not just a requirement, but a habit and even a passion.

A Win That Goes Beyond the Classroom

While earning the title of Washington State Reading Champions is a remarkable accomplishment, the true victory lies in what students gained along the way.

They discovered that:

Hard things are worth doing

Growth comes with effort

Reading can open doors far beyond the classroom

At ISWA, educators like Mrs. Munford are helping students build not only academic skills, but also the confidence and resilience needed to succeed in life. In this case, turning pages turned into something even bigger. A championship moment that will stay with these students for years to come.

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