These are Bocholt's new reading kings and queens

Bocholt has new reading kings and queens! On Friday, the school winners from Bocholt's primary schools competed for the title of reading kings and queens at the Bocholt Media Centre.

After a short welcome by Claudia Alders from the Bocholt City Library and the introduction of the eight-member jury, the 13 pupils first read a three-minute passage from a book of their own choice.

In the second round, they had to read for two minutes from an unknown text. The story "Anderwald - Das Geheimnis der Silberwölfin" by author Julie Leuze had previously been selected for this.

"No matter who comes first here today, you are all already winners", emphasised Mayor Thomas Kerkhoff in his welcoming address. After all, all participants had already been successful in the school competition. "You can all be very proud of yourselves", said Kerkhoff.

The 13 participants did not make it easy for the jury, but in the end Felix Rügamer (St. Bernhard Primary School) was able to prevail against his competitors. Second place was shared by Helene Pferdekemper (Biemenhorster Schule) and Lukas Theling (GSV Ludgerus HSO). Together with Paul Stovering, Marieke Weidemann and Julia Jacobs, the three will move on to the regional competition, which is scheduled for 17 January, from where three children will move on to the district competition.

The participants in the reading competition were:

• Avci / Maria-Montessori-Schule TSO Milla
• Heitkamp / Clemens-Dülmer-Schule Josia
• Hovermann / Maria-Montessori-Schule Julia
• Jacobs / GSV Liebfrauen Stenern Joscha
• Nelskamp / Kreuzschule Mussum Helene
• Pferdekemper / Biemenhorster Schule Jesse
• Raatz / GSV Liebfrauen Barlo Felix
• Rügamer / St.
• Bernhard Grundschule Paul
• Stoverink / Josefschule Mathilda
• Tewiele / Annette-von-Droste-Hülshoff Schule Lukas
• Theling / GSV Ludgerus HSO Marieke
• Weidemann / Clemens-August-Schule Paula
• Weidmann / GSV Ludgerus HSO