The Norway early kindergarten-eighth PTO gave students a little extra incentive for its Read-A-Thon fundraiser, which is sponsored annually in recognition of March is Reading Month.

The class that took in the highest total of donations won the opportunity to “bedazzle” Principal Meneghini’s head as a reward for winning the competition, elementary school secretary Julie Mills said.

Elementary students went above and beyond this year, raising an impressive $9,075 — just shy of the $10,000 goal — and logged 49,051 reading minutes.

Gino Mariucci’s second grade class finished on top of the donations, taking in a total of $1,581.

NORWAY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL’S top reader for the Read-A-Thon fundraiser was Camden Micheau. He received a certificate and Dairy Queen gift card. (Submitted photo)

In addition to creating artwork on the principal’s head, the class was treated to a pizza party.

Mary Beth Paul’s fourth grade class got serious about the challenge, achieving 10,259 minutes of reading, which earned them an ice cream party.

Individual top reader was Camden Micheau, while Avery Peroceschi collected the most donations. Both were awarded a certificate and gift card from Dairy Queen.

Mills said she got the idea from her nephew’s school in Midland, Mich. “They were able to bedazzle a few teacher heads as a fundraising event,” Mills said. “My sister-in-law sent me a picture and I laughed so hard, and of course, immediately thought of this as a fun incentive for top donations.”

She also said it didn’t take much to convince the principal to go along with the challenge.

THE NORWAY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL student who collected the most donations for the Read-A-Thon fundraiser was Avery Peroceschi. She received a certificate and Dairy Queen gift card. (Submitted photo)

“The students had a blast,” Mills said.

The Read-A-Thon is the PTO’s largest fundraiser of the year, allowing them to support many school events, teachers and staff throughout the year.