The Million Words Campaign is producing thousands of smiling, successful readers.

Introduced in September 2002 by Superintendent Jerry Wartgow and Chief Academic Officer Sally Mentor Hay, the campaign was created to encourage students to read and improve student achievement.

The more than 13,000 students who reached the one-million word mark will receive certificates from Wartgow and Hay, and the elementary, middle and high school with the most "millionaires" will accept giant trophies at the May 15 Board of Education meeting. The trophies will be on display at the schools next year and will travel to the succeeding winners next May. The Board meeting will also feature a colorful display of schools' Million Words Campaign pennants.

Denver's third grade Colorado Student Assessment Program (CSAP) reading scores jumped five percentage points from last year, the state Department of Education announced last week, with 55 percent of third-graders scoring advanced or proficient.

Million-word readers will be recognized at schools throughout the district this month. Some of the unique celebrations include:

Asbury Elementary School, 1320 E. Asbury Ave., will celebrate 142 million-word readers with "Million Word Reader Day" Tuesday, May 13. Fourth and fifth-graders will be recognized 10:45 a.m.; first through third-graders at 11:15 a.m.; and early childhood education students and kindergarten readers will be honored at 1:15 p.m. Principal Jan Box will read "A Fine, Fine School" at each assembly. The PTA and Country Buffet restaurants have donated cookies and punch for each assembly. For information, contact the school at 303-722-4695.

Montclair Elementary School, 1151 Newport St., will host a multicultural evening - Millions of Miles at Montclair - from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, May 15. Class displays will begin at 5 p.m. At 5:30 p.m. the school will host an assembly for million-word readers, who will receive a golden medal in recognition of their hard work. The evening will wind down after a guest performer who will begin at 6 p.m. For information, contact the school at 303-333-5497.

Stedman Elementary School, 2940 Dexter St., will celebrate 101 million-word readers from 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 15. The evening will begin with a catered dinner and will be followed by an awards ceremony. For information, contact Suzanne Morris-Sherer, 303-322-7781.

Whiteman Elementary School, 451 Newport St., will recognize more than 30 million-word readers at 11 a.m. Friday, May 16 in the school's auditorium. Each reader will be honored with a medal and a certificate before heading to a pizza party. The school will inaugurate a traveling trophy for the class with the highest quarterly total for the campaign. For more information, contact Andree Hall, 303-355-7333.

More than 360 million-word readers at McMeen Elementary School, 1000 S. Holly St., will be honored at two assemblies on Tuesday, May 20. The morning assembly will be at 11 a.m. and the afternoon ceremony will be at 2:30 p.m. Students will receive a certificate noting their achievement, a new free book and a bookmark inscribed with the McMeen logo and the words "Today's Readers are Tomorrow's Leaders." The celebration will continue on the playground with popsicles for the entire student body. For information, contact Linda Johnston, 303-388-5649.

Ninety-five percent of students at Kaiser Elementary School, 4500 S. Quitman St., read one million words this year. The school will celebrate its million-word readers from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 21. The celebration will begin at 1 p.m. with older students reading to younger students. At 1:30 p.m. guest readers will spend time with students, who will draw and write about the stories they hear. At 2:50 p.m. the school will host an assembly that will feature a band performance and poetry readings; and at 3:30 p.m. students will enjoy ice cream bars on the front lawn. For information, contact the school at 303-795-6014.

Million-word readers at Rishel Middle School, 451 S. Tejon St., will receive a book, donated by W.H. Smith Bookstore, a writer's notebook, a pen, a pencil and a bookmark on Wednesday, May 21. At the end of the day, they will be treated to a "reception" with ice cream. For information, contact the school, 303-727-5210.

Millionaires at Cole Middle School, 3240 Humboldt St., will get the royal treatment on Thursday, May 22. About 25 students who have met the goal will be recognized at a 10:30 a.m. assembly before they walk down a red carpet at 11:30 a.m. to a 24-person Hummer limousine. They'll spend part of the afternoon at five-star funplex Dave and Buster's rubbing elbows with other well-read Cole readers. "I've read about 45 books this year, and I'm going to keep on reading," said million word reader and seventh-grader Ashley Limon. "The day living as a millionaire sounds great. I'm really excited to ride in the limo. I've never ridden in one." The day is funded by the Puksta Foundation that provides college scholarships to upstanding, civic-minded Colorado high school students faced with socio-economical challenges. "We believe the Million Words Campaign is a great way to instill the love of reading in children," said John Mulstay, president. "We are very proud of the children who have accomplished this task and look forward to working closely with Cole Middle School in the future." For information, contact Jennifer Barton at the school, 303-391-6564.

Million-word students at Oakland Elementary School, 4580 Dearborn St., will be honored during an assembly from 2-3 p.m. Friday, May 23. Each will receive a certificate and a book, and a special banner recognizing each individual student will hang in the main entrance of the school. Bronco jerseys and a football autographed by the school staff will be given away in a drawing. A parent reception will follow in the cafeteria. For information, contact Janet Jackson, 303-371-2960.

Approximately 70 students who've read a million words at Teller Elementary School, 1150 Garfield St., will go up, up and away with a tethered hot air balloon ride at the school's fields from 7:30-10 a.m. Tuesday, May 27. For information, contact that school at 303-333-4285.

The 70 students at Hallett Science/Technology Academy, 2950 Jasmine St., who have read one million words will be awarded and given a certificate in the afternoon on Thursday, May 29. Contact the school for information, 303-355-7359.