LEBANON, Tenn. - Students at Southside Elementary in Lebanon, Tenn., started a new chapter of the annual “Stick To Reading=Succeeding” program for all Nashville-area elementary students. To kick off the reading incentive program, developed through a partnership between the NHL’s Nashville Predators and Lochinvar Corp., 550 students at the elementary school received a special visit from Predators mascot GNASH, Predators team member Shea Weber, Predators broadcaster Terry Crisp, as well as Lochinvar executives.

During the event, the Predators representatives hosted an interactive game show for the students, complete with trivia questions and a t-shirt toss, and explained how to participate in the “Stick to Reading=Succeeding” program. Set to run through spring 2008, the reading incentive program is free for all Wilson County elementary students and more than 7,600 participants are currently enrolled.

One aspect of the motivational program is the All-Star Reading Challenge, which rewards students with prizes for reading books. Each participant is given a registration form to keep track of the books they have read during the course of the program, and they begin receiving rewards, such as Predators memorabilia, after completing five books. For example, students who read five books receive a Predators bookmark and pencil; after reading 10 books, they earn a Predators drawstring backpack; upon reaching 15 books, students are awarded two tickets to a Predators game and a full-color poster/certificate, as well as a chance to have their name posted on the Predators’ official Website at www.nashvillepredators.com.

As part of the “Stick to Reading=Succeeding” program, GNASH and a Predators player or broadcaster make monthly visits to schools in Wilson County to reinforce the program and encourage the children to crack open the books.

“Through our partnership with the Predators and the annual ‘Stick to Reading’ program, we aim to help area students discover the joy and excitement that reading can bring to their daily lives,” said Bill Vallett, Lochinvar president.

Lochinvar Corp. is a leading manufacturer of high-efficiency water heaters, boilers, pool heaters, and storage tanks. For more information, visit www.lochinvar.com.

Publication date:11/19/2007