Willard Student Hailey Nardelli's Art Chosen For Summer Reading Cover

Willard Elementary School fifth grader Hailey Nardelli decided to enter her art work as a cover for the summer reading book, which goes to every student in the Berlin Public Schools. 

"Mrs. Vernon, my art teacher, said at the end of one of the classes that they were having a contest for the summer reading cover and I decided to put something together," said the precocious Nardelli, who will be entering McGee Middle School in the fall. "I found out the theme was 'Dig Into Reading' so I had an idea and decided to do it."

The cover features a large machine digging into a pile of dirt looking for books, which are buried. 

"I wanted the dirt pile to be see through," Nardelli said. "I wanted the books to seem like they were gold so I made them shine. I wanted it to be like they were digging for gold."

Nardelli said Willard reading specialist Mrs. Kania told her she had won.

"I was really excited," said Nardelli, who made her name out of worms on the cover. "I thought it was pretty cool that people all over town would see the cover and know who designed the front of the book. I hope they wonder who made it."

So what advice does Nardelli have for the younger students.

"My advice is for students to read as much as they can because it will make you smarter," said the wise fifth grader.