GoodHeart | Kristen Lewis encourages young readers to ‘go for what they want’

Kristen Lewis’ passion for reading has taken her from the classroom to national acclaim, as she emerged as the 2025 National Reading Competition champion in the 12–14 age group. An avid reader since primary school, Lewis was introduced to the competition last year while in Grade 9 by her English teacher, Miss Rogers. She entered through the Manchester Parish Library. Now in its 38th year, the Jamaica Library Service (JLS) continues to host the National Reading Competition, encouraging Jamaican youth to develop a love for books and literacy.

“I’ve always loved reading, but to actually be in a space with other readers and be introduced to different books, it was an entirely different experience,” the winner shared of her experience participating in a national competition.

Lewis told GoodHeart that the competition helped her become more confident and outspoken.

“Before, I used to worry about what people would think. But now I just go ahead and do it. I don’t allow anybody to discourage me. Once I want to do it and I know I can do it, I will do it,” she said.

She credits her mother and aunt for nurturing her love for reading by providing resources and consistent support. “They always wanted me to get into reading because they saw that I had a passion for it,” the 15-year-old shared, continuing, “So they bought me books [and] Kindles. When I was in the competition, they were there every step [of] the way. They [even] used to help [by] quizzing me and other things.”

FOCUS AND DETERMINATION

Lewis also shared that she faced doubt during the competition, but remained focused and determined.

“I had people who even came to me and told me, ‘Oh, I don’t think you’re going to win and I want somebody else to win’. [So] for me to win the competition, I was very happy and satisfied with myself. It taught me how to believe in myself, because at first I did not.”

The Belair High School student stayed disciplined in her preparation, repeatedly studying her material to fully grasp each text, while relying on her support system to keep her grounded.

“I did not think I was going to win the competition, but I had people in my corner who were like, ‘Kristen, this is you. You know you can do it. This is your thing. Why are you nervous?’ The support … I really loved it,” Lewis admitted.

Looking ahead, her reading abilities will extend beyond the competition, as she aspires to pursue a career in law, noting the strong connection between reading and the profession.

“Going into law, it’s similar to history [and] reading subjects. You have to do a lot of reading [and] research … . In the competition, we’re supposed to read three books, and we have to go through the books to dissect them. I read one book like three times just to get the message, so I did not miss out on anything. It’s the same thing with law. You have to read, read, read, read, read ... to gather evidence.”

Offering a word of advice to this year’s participants, Lewis encouraged confidence and determination. “Don’t be afraid to step up and go for what you want, because determination, ambition, and confidence are three important qualities in a person,” she said.

Lewis continued: “I’ve been told that I’m extra and, as Jamaicans call it, “nuff”: and all of that. But I did not allow that to deter me because if I wasn’t extra, if I wasn’t nuff, I would not have accomplished everything I have today. I would not be the national reading champion. So, never allow anyone to discourage you. Don’t settle for less and be the best version of yourself, mostly and unapologetically.”

ENTRIES ARE OPEN

Having nurtured over 110,000 readers since inception, the JLS notes this year’s theme as ‘Together We Read, Together We Rise’.

Royane Green, director of corporate communications and marketing at the JLS, told The Gleaner that participants can expect televised quiz finals, parish and national awards, as well as opportunities to engage with a wide range of Caribbean literature. Green added that this year will also feature initiatives such as the VM Financial Literacy Challenge, ensuring that the competition continues to support well-rounded development.

“This year’s staging promises a dynamic blend of learning, competition, and personal enrichment, with meaningful rewards for participants of all ages,” he added.

Green added that the JLS is inviting all Jamaicans to be a part of the competition, whether by participating directly, supporting others, or simply recommitting to reading.

The competition is now accepting entries and will close on May 9.

ruth-ann.briscoe@gleanerjm.com