Reading pays off for Vicksburg fourth grader

VICKSBURG, Miss. (VDN) — Fourth grader Cannon Sumrall has become the first student to complete the Summer Reading Bingo Card challenge sponsored by State Farm agent, Robyn Lea.

The bingo card challenge was created to help keep local students engaged in reading during summer break. Each reader that completes all the squares gets a free sno-cone from Heavenly Snowballs.

“He’s not a big reader by nature,” said Cannon’s father, Russell Sumrall, “but we pushed the reading because when COVID hit during kindergarten, it really set him back.”

After being held back a year, his parents focused on helping him catch up.

“That extra year made a huge difference. Now he flows better when reading,” said Sumrall. “We’re just really proud of how far he’s come, so we make sure to stay on top of it.”

Cannon’s interest in books may be reluctant, but he worked through the bingo card one square at a time.

Outside of books, Cannon enjoys math, helping his dad outdoors, and designing trucks and equipment on simulation games. Russell Sumrall run a contracting business, and Cannon is already picking up real-world skills. According to his father, the young reader can back up a trailer better than most grown men.

“He’s always been beside me watching and learning. Now I just point where I want the trailer, and he backs it in,” said Sumrall. “We’re not trying to work him hard — just show him a few things he can take with him when he’s older.”