This article was written by Grace Orvis, a 7th grader at Mount Abraham Union Middle School.
BRISTOL — The annual DCF (Dorothy Canfield Fisher) Tournament took place recently in the Mt. Abraham library. This event happens on a yearly basis and is a celebration of the avid young readers in grades 4-6 from Lincoln Community School, Bristol Elementary, Beeman, Monkton Elementary, and Robinson. This event is a great way for students to meet their future classmates, and learn how to work in a group setting.
The students are divided up into teams in which they travel through the different rounds of competition. In these groups they travel through rounds of Jeopardy-like games, gaining points for every question answered correctly. Questions included the author, book content, and illustrations. Overall the DCF tournament is a great way for the bookworms of the five towns to meet new people, as well as learn to work well in a team.
Collaboration is an important part of this event. As you look around you see teams deliberating over hard questions and the joyful cries of “I know this one” and “I loved that book”. Contestants at first seem hesitant to join their teammates, but soon become able to work as a cooperative force.
Librarians from the five towns and Mount Abe help conduct the competition and act as the narrators, deciding if teams’ responses are correct, and keeping track of points. Parent and student volunteers also help, keeping track of points, encouraging teams, and getting snacks. Many student volunteers once participated in the competition themselves and understand the mixture of nerves and excitement most student participants experience.
This tournament builds life skills like collaboration with others. These skills will become significantly more important as they grow older.
As a fourth, fifth, and sixth grader, I took part in this event. It’s really important for young kids to meet their future classmates. I remember meeting for the first time the friends I have now and starting to build relationships.
This year I volunteered for the DCF tournament and was once again reminded of the fear and excitement that meeting new people and competing brings. Every year kids look forward to this event, not able to wait for the day to come. I hope that the Dorothy Canfield Fisher tournament is continued for many years, so that future generations of bookworms can learn to love the thrill of knowing the right answer, meeting new friends, and learning how to work as a cooperative team. This competition is proof that books really can bring people together.