It was team Walmart that came out on top at R.E.A.D.s annual contest called Are You Smarter Than a 10-year-old?

Walmart team members Michael Bradbury, Luca Isandoro and Steve Wilkinson beat out seven other teams for the title. They competed in a play-off against Northeast Georgia Health Systems for the victory Thursday, Sept. 26, in the Dawson County Middle School auditorium.

Their years of experience was study enough, Bradbury said of his teammates when asked how they prepared for the event. Isandoro and Wilkinson are Walmart associates who are retired and former Marines.

R.E.A.D. (Reading Education Association of Dawson County) Executive Director Sandy Lipkowitz said the event raised more than $12,000 for the non-profit.

Id really like to thank everyone for participating and attending and for making this an annual event in Dawson County, Lipkowitz said. It means a lot to have regular supporters and new supporters in our fight against illiteracy.

Lipkowitz said the event is R.E.A.D.s largest fundraiser of the year, and the money goes wherever it is needed to support R.E.A.D.s mission.

Other teams that competed in the event were the City of Dawsonville, Rotary Club of Dawson County, Dawsonville Lions Club, Dawson County Womans Club, Lanier Technical College and Dawsonville Gun & Pawn.

Fifth-grade students were chosen by the elementary schools to assist with questions that might stump the teams. The students chosen were: Aaron Muilenburg, Anna Bella Frix, Wyatt Jordan, Diane Frazier, Cort Shelnutt, Shyla Sheffield, Prestan Burt and Aubriana DeCoteau.

Judge Andrew Fuller and Andrew Tarnacki were the events judges.

R.E.A.D. is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization whose purpose is to serve the needs of Dawson County citizens who do not possess literacy skills necessary to achieve their full potential, the organizations website, www.readdawson.com, says. Donations to R.E.A.D. are tax-deductible. For more information, you may call 706-579-1771 or email readdawson@yahoo.com.