RED SPRINGS — A Red Springs High School student has been named the recipient of the 2025-2026 Battle of the Books Scholarship.
Giselle Gomez Sanchez was presented the $500 Battle of the Books Scholarship on Monday, June 8, 2026 at Red Springs High School by former PSRC Media Supervisor Dr. Etta Baldwin, who established the scholarship, and PSRC officials.
The Battle of the Books program consists of team-based competitions where students from various schools read a variety of books and are quizzed on the contents of those books.
The scholarship was established in 2023 by Dr. Etta Baldwin to promote the love of reading and encourage students to participate in the competition. To be eligible, students were to be accepted at a two or four-year post-secondary educational institution, submit a completed application for the scholarship and have participated and competed in the Public Schools of Robeson County Battle of the Books program for at least one school year within their academic career. The scholarship committee reviewed all submissions and selected the scholarship recipient.
“During the years I have been in the battle of books, I have gained confidence in myself. Spending time digging in books made me feel productive and made my mind have many creative ideas over the endings. It has helped me develop stronger critical thinking and reading skills,” she wrote in her essay.
“Reading is important; it takes you to places where you have never been,’ she wrote.
Gomez Sanchez plans to attend UNC Pembroke and major in computer science.
PSRC Media Supervisor Cindi Humphrey said programs like Battle of the Books help students strengthen their reading skills, build confidence and develop a lifelong love of learning.
“Giselle’s dedication, perseverance and passion for reading have truly set her apart. Her accomplishments reflect the hard work she has invested both inside and outside the classroom, and we are excited to see all that she will accomplish in the future. We are incredibly proud of her and wish her continued success in the next chapter of her journey,” Humphrey said.