Name: Erin Fujimoto
Age: 9
School: Maemae Elementary
Favorite subject: Physical education
Pastimes: Reading, volleyball, softball
Future: UH-Manoa

Erin, this year's top female fund-raiser for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society Read A Thon, Hawaii Chapter, feels sad for those stricken with the disease.

"Sometimes they don't have the opportunity to do what other people can do," she said. "They can't play sports or do what they want to do."

Erin read 148 books and raised $579, helping her school become the top fund-raising school in the state.

"She just loves to read," said Beatrice Zane, principal at Maemae Elementary School.

"She is a model student, has good grades and is very prompt and organized. Her parents support and value education, and that carries over to Erin."

Parents Sandy and Gary Fujimoto used to sing and talk to their daughter before she was born.

"You read in books that they can understand," Sandy Fujimoto said.

Today, Erin and her dad visit the library as often as possible.

"I like scary books," she said.

"I read almost all of the 'Goosebumps' series and Bruce Coville books."

Sometimes Erin can be found under her blanket with the bedroom lights off, a flashlight in one hand and a book in the other.

"Sometimes I just like to read that way," she said. "I like to be scared."