LUMBERTON — Nine-year-old Isaiah Troy, who attends W.H. Knuckles Elementary School, feels great about completing Gov. Beverly Perdue’s three-week reading challenge, because it was an activity that he already enjoyed.

“I liked it, because it helped me to read a little more,” Isaiah said. “It helped me understand more words.”

Isaiah, along with 12 other students in grades two through six, read four books during the reading program.

The children graduated from the program Thursday during a ceremony at the elementary school in South Lumberton, where they received a certificate of completion and gift bag for their hard work.

The gift bags contained the four books the students had read during the program and a special packet from the governor, which contained a photo and brochure of the Governor’s Mansion, a signed photo of the governor and a bookmark.

The program, sponsored by Communities in Schools, the Robeson Council on the Affairs of Black People and attorney Tiffany Powers, encourages students to improve their vocabularies and reading comprehension.

“We want them to start building their own personal libraries,” said Tamikka Gilmore, council director. “They’re very happy and proud of themselves.”

Another participant in the reading program was 10-year-old, Jaleah Dockery, who said her favorite book that she read during the program was “Something Beautiful” by Sharon Dennis Wyeth.

Jaleah already enjoyed reading and said the program motivated her to read even more.

“It’s good exercise over the summer to prepare them for next year,” Gilmore said.

The idea for the program began when Gov. Perdue visited the school in March and challenged students to read four books during the summer break.

The students began the program on July 12, and read Monday through Thursday for three weeks from noon to 1 p.m. each day

“They’re our futures,” said Pat McRae, chairman of the board of directors for the council. “They can share their books with everyone else ... We look forward to doing this again.”