Lewis-Palmer Middle School’s library was transformed into a mini–Comic Con on April 23, as more than 200 students gathered for the annual Fandom Day celebration.
Fandom Day is an event that rewards avid readers and brings their favorite stories to life. It began in the 2022–23 school year as a simple reading incentive called READO, in which students completed bingo cards of reading challenges to earn an invitation. Last year, READO evolved into the 14er Club: a year-long quest in which participants read or listened to 14 books of their choosing. Membership in the 14er Club not only grants a ticket to Fandom Day, but also a “14er Pass” for open library access, monthly dessert-and-hangout sessions, and small prizes along the way. “Last year just over 130 students participated in Fandom Day,” said Librarian Andrea Weidmann. “This year we have a whopping 201 students who completed the 14er Challenge.”
“Fandom Day is truly a celebration of reading for our students. It’s a mini-Comic Con dedicated to the most popular genres in our library (fantasy, science fiction and anime/manga) and students love the book-themed food, decorations, games, and crafts centered around the stories they love,” said Weidmann. Among the standout moments this year were two student-inspired features. Kinleigh Jarrell, seventh grader, designed a secret Narnia-themed entrance hall, complete with fur-trimmed lamp posts and wardrobe doors. Elise Portlock, eighth grader, dreamed up a Percy Jackson–themed Capture the Flag game. “It was really cool to see my idea come to life and watch kids participate and have fun with it,” Elise said. “Events like Fandom Day break up the repeating pattern of school days. and add a little change to make it more exciting.”
As the school year winds down, Weidmann and her Library Assistant, Angie Brown, are already brainstorming next year’s Fandom Day enhancements, with many suggested by the students themselves. Seeing how excited students get when the library is transformed is incredible; their creativity is what makes this event so memorable. Fandom Day at Lewis-Palmer Middle School has grown from a simple reading challenge into a full-scale festival—proof that when students are empowered to share their passions, both reading scores and school spirit soar.