"Books are the plane, and the train, and the road. They are the destination, and the journey."*  The odyssey of reading delights us, challenges us, absorbs us, informs us— much like travelling with stimulating company, marveling in beautiful scenery, experiencing different cultures, and thrilling to the unexpected.  Reading excellent literature teaches us about our Creator, our world and ourselves; it helps us to lead the examined life described by Socrates as the one worth living.

To encourage our students in this journey of reading, Coram Deo is continuing this summer with the Milliarium Aureum Award. This recognition will be given to every student who reads 1,000 pages over the summer break. Requirements specified below. The books read for this program are entirely of the students’ own choice. Students need to log the books and number of pages read; parents must verify the log with their signature.

The Coram Deo students who complete this challenge will be acknowledged through a certificate, recognition on the Milliarium Aureum Honor Roll, and age appropriate awards. Most importantly, students reaching this milestone in their educational journey will be building skills needed for future academic excellence.

The Milliarium Aureum was the Golden Milestone, a gilded monument erected in the Roman Forum by Caesar Augustus in 20 B.C. It marked the convergence of all roads that led to Rome. Mille passus, Latin for mile, means 1,000 paces and inspired the 1,000 pages required for this award.

Grammar School Award: All pages of summer reading, including books on the recommended summer reading list, count toward this award. Pages may be read by or read to the student.

Logic and High School Award: In addition to the CDA summer reading book list, 1,000 pages of reading is required.

   *Anna Quindlen, How Reading Changed My Life, copyright © 1998 by the Random House Publishing Group.