HAMMOND | Students and adults read their Hammond Reads winning essays to an attentive audience Monday during the School City of Hammond board meeting.

Hammond Reads, in its seventh year, caught the attention of more than 600 contestants who wrote in 250 words or less on the theme, Why I Like to Read, according to Nancy Machnikowski, School City of Hammond partnership representative.

"Reading helps your speech," wrote Juanita Spencer, a kindergartner from Harding Elementary. "Reading helps your brain because your brains needs words to think."

Harding student Amie-Nicole Feliciano said she takes one easy book and one chapter book on trips with her parents.

"I love to read more than anyone in my family," Feliciano said.

Cesar Canelo, of Irving Elementary School, said he likes to read comic books, magazines, humor, fables and mysteries.

"Humor books help me out in tough situations," Canelo said. "When I am with people that I don't know, I can tell jokes from the humor books I read and that helps me break the ice."

In the middle school category, Anna Romano, who is home-schooled, surfaced as the winner.

Romano said, "Reading expands you, your mind and gets you pumping."

Alyssa Homan, of Clark High School, said reading is the key to discovery.

Homan read: "Reading is the key to breaking down barriers which prevent people from experiencing events they can only dream of."

Julie Pearson and David Innes were the adult winners.

Pearson, who won the educator slot, said the contest helps students to think about reading.

"It's a great opportunity for them to share their thoughts and feelings and to see there is another purpose for writing," said Pearson, a two-time winner.

Some prizes were age-differentiated, but all winners received a $50 savings bonds from Centier Bank and a plaque.

Other prizes included Borders Books & Music gift cards, books, Hammond Reads T-shirts, pens and pencils, Machnikowski said.