The Chilton-Clanton Public Library finished its 2010 summer reading program, themed “Make a Splash READ!,” Wednesday afternoon in an awards ceremony recognizing the students’ achievements.

The library conference room was adorned with fishing nets, beach balls, beach towels, sand buckets, fish, sand and other objects keeping with the theme.

Students from Clanton Elementary School, Clanton Intermediate School, Thorsby Children read a total of 1,653 books throughout the week. 125 students, who completed kindergarten through sixth grade, participated, and approximately 85 received certificates and prizes for their accomplishments.

The children read in three divisions, including kindergarten through first grade, second through third grade and fourth through sixth grade. Those who read the most books won various prizes.

In the K-1 division, CES first-grader Reese Sirmon, 7, won first place. His parents are Bridget and John Sirmon. Finishing second were twin brothers and CES students Andrew and Matthew Simpson, both 6. Their parents are James and Melissa Simpson. Finishing in third place was Sara Kate Moatts, 6, from CES. Her parents are Brad and Jill Moatts.

In the 2-3 division, CES third-grader Francesca Millard, 7, won first place. Her parents are Christy and Andy Millard. CES third-grader Jackie Shi, 8, won second place. His parents are Yan Lin and Guang Wu Shi. Finishing third was CIS fourth-grader Jacob Liveoak, 11, whose parents are Joey and Jenifer Liveoak.

CIS student Mabrey Millard, 11, won first place in the 4-6 division. Her parents are Christy and Andy Millard. Finishing second was Clanton Middle School student Ada Ruth Huntley, 10, who just completed fifth grade. Her parents are Tony and Elizabeth Huntley. Rounding out the division in third place was Thorsby’s Jacob Good, 12, who recently completed sixth grade. His parents are Tim and Debra Good.

Other children participating in the reading program included the following: Alana Acreman, Will Arnold, Raymond Boston, Kurt Bullis, Leighton Coppedge, Abbey Cornelius, Dylan Emerson, Dylan Forrest, Collin Fulmer, Sierra Gains, Carlie Hill, Austin Jones, Claire Ellen Jolley, Ashton Kennedy, Heather Liveoak, Dawson Maddox, Hayley Milford, Lily Rose Newtown, Addyson Plier, Lindsey Popwell, Mason Penton, Tylen Reynolds, Jackson Smith, Wyatt Smith, Demi Tolison, Alex Wright, Allie Watts, Mason, Zuelzke, Hallie Arnold, Matthew Bell, Mia Batchelor, Rickea Blumenburg, Josh Bullis, Morgan Champion, Patrick Doss, Nathan Forrest, Kiley Freeman, Katelynn Gold, Phillip Guin, Sarah Helton, Sarah Beth Huntley, Breanna Jones, Tate Kendrick, Tyler LeCroy, Kinslee Maddox, Hannah Matthews, Tymirah Morrison, Caydee Grace Miller, Anna Patterson, Jimmy Powers, Dylan Ray, Georgia Simpson, Abbi Wright, Maggie Zuelzke, Justin Liveoak, Chyna Bell, Hailey Blanchard, Zoe Batchelor, Bailey Champion, Kayci Forrest, Snowy Forrest, AKaya Jenkins, Katlyn Jones, Ryan LeCroy, Kaylee Patterson, Natalee Robinson, Sydnee Robinson, Kiki Shaw, Johsua Shelly, Christian Schoener, Emilee Smith, Catherine Staffeny, Shalisa Wright, Mary Margaret White.

Library employees presented entertainment to the children each Wednesday afternoon throughout the month. For their first entertainment program, Mark and Stephanie Sasser from the First Assembly of God Church presented a puppet show.

“Mark’s skits were interactive and entertaining,” children’s librarian Susan Zekl said. “He encouraged the young people to read, taught morals and challenged them to build good character in their lives.”

The children watched the Disney animated film “Finding Nemo” on the second Wednesday, playing to the program’s underwater theme.

A “Be At Your Best” presentation was put on by Mark Seymour for the third program of the month. Seymour performed magic and music, including the drums, to interact with children and teach them self-discipline, respect and patriotism.

The children were then recognized for their reading accomplishments by being awarded certificates and prizes, including beach balls and sunglasses.

“The staff of the library would like to express sincere appreciation to the Clanton Kiwanis Club for the donation of $500 and to the Chilton County Energizers of Alabama Power Company for a donation of $300,” Zekl said. “These contributions are used in many diversified ways to make the reading program successful.”

Zekl said Peoples Southern Bank also donated $250 in savings bonds, which were presented to the first place winners. Wal-Mart donated a $25 gift card for prizes.

“The children and their parents were so cooperative, and the staff is so proud of all the young people for their reading accomplishments,” Zekl said.