Arizona Students Shine at Read to the Final Four Championship Celebration
NCAA FINAL FOUR 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PHOENIX — The energy of championship week in Phoenix extended beyond the court on Thursday, as four Arizona schools were recognized at the Read to the Final Four championship celebration inside Tourney Town at the Phoenix Convention Center.
The event marked the culmination of a statewide literacy challenge that brought together thousands of third-grade students in the lead-up to the 2026 NCAA Women's Final Four — proving that competition and community can drive impact far beyond basketball.
A Championship Moment for Literacy
Leading the way was Mary C. O’Brien Elementary School in Casa Grande, which claimed the 2026 Read to the Final Four title with an impressive 10,433 average minutes read per student.
The remaining finalists showcased equally strong efforts:
Kyrene de la Colina Elementary School (Ahwatukee) — 9,028 minutes
Sun Canyon Elementary School (Phoenix) — 8,462 minutes
Villa de Paz Elementary School (Phoenix) — 7,026 minutes
Since launching in November 2025, the program has inspired 12,156 students across 191 schools to log a combined 21.4 million minutes of reading — the equivalent of more than 357,000 hours.
More Than a Competition
Presented by Helios Education Foundation, the initiative blends the excitement of March basketball with the power of literacy, using a bracket-style format to motivate students during a critical stage of development.
“Literacy is foundational to long-term student success,” said Paul J. Luna, president and CEO of Helios Education Foundation. “What’s most meaningful are the stories of students embracing reading in new ways.”
Teachers across the state echoed that impact — sharing how students began reading more at home, involving their families, and even incorporating books into creative activities like art, music and physical education.
A Surprise That Elevated the Moment
In a standout moment during the celebration, Helios Education Foundation doubled the prize funding for all finalist schools.
Mary C. O’Brien Elementary received a $10,000 grand prize
Each finalist school was awarded $5,000
The funding will go directly toward literacy programs, libraries and continued educational support.
The Power of Community and Competition
The initiative also included a March challenge, rewarding schools that averaged more than 100 minutes of reading per student. A total of 46 schools met the mark, resulting in more than 3,000 free books distributed statewide.
“This program shows how the energy of championship competition can inspire students far beyond the court,” said Lynn Holzman, vice president of women’s basketball for the NCAA.
Jen Barnett of the Phoenix Final Four Local Organizing Committee emphasized the broader impact:
“We saw families get involved, schools rally together, and students grow more confident. That kind of support creates lasting change.”
A Week Bigger Than Basketball
As Phoenix prepares to host the 2026 NCAA Women’s Final Four on April 3 and 5, events like Read to the Final Four highlight the deeper mission behind the game — community, education and opportunity.
With a full week of fan experiences and programming across the city, the championship is leaving a lasting imprint — not just in arenas, but in classrooms across Arizona.
Final Takeaway
This wasn’t just about reading minutes or competition brackets.
It was about building confidence, creating opportunity, and showing young students that they are part of something bigger.
And in a week centered around elite performance, Arizona’s third graders proved they’re already champions in their own right.
