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According to the Literacy Company's website, 44 million adults in the United States cannot read well enough to read a simple story to a young child, and 21 million adults in the United States cannot read at all. More than three out of four of those on welfare, 85% of unwed mothers and 68% of those arrested are illiterate. Approximately three in five of America's prison inmates are illiterate. I ask, what do these statistics suggest about the effects of illiteracy in the United States of America? Obviously, not enough is being done to spark interest in reading in today's youth, a critical factor in turning today's youth into tomorrow's adults, into Americans who learn early on to be inquisitive and analytical, and who, through critical thinking, can become active citizens promoting democracy and freedom. The children are our future, and as they strive to live and thrive in an ever-changing technical world, it is necessary for them to have not only positive role models but active and persistent leaders as well. I strive to be such a leader, one who truly cares about children, their needs, their future, and their individuality. My platform, as Miss Sierra Vista, is to reach out to our community and start promoting literacy in local youth. As an education major, I am developing my innate ability to speak to and to reach children. Promoting literacy is more than teaching children how to read; it is opening a door to limitless discovery. Reading Rocks! My mission for literacy began formally last fall at Cochise College when I co-created a free Saturday reading circle for K_4th graders at the college called Reading Rocks! It is designed to show children and parents that reading can be fun. In fulfillment of an Honors project, I led five reading circles with an average attendance of 22 local Elementary students per circle during which each student chose a free book to keep. We presented various multicultural stories and students completed accompanying arts and crafts projects in order to creatively demonstrate what they had learned. By all accounts, the circle was a success and the Cochise College Honors Committee has approved my project's continuation for the 2009-2010 school year. Local Community Schools As Miss Sierra Vista, I plan to take my literacy platform one step further by entering the school districts county-wide and meeting children in an effort to reinforce the importance of literacy. With the permission and cooperation of teachers and administrators, I plan to meet with students at every level of educatioD.: Elementary, Middle and High School. Each group will have to be approached in a different manner in order to capture their attention, but the same goal will be behind the sessions-expressing the importance of critical thinking and creating life-long learners. In order to promote continued reading in the older children, I will promote the establishment of after-school reading clubs. Promoting Literacy in Today's Youth is my way of making a difference in the world. One child at a time, my charismatic personality and my genuine desire to help will create a ripple effect that could last over lifetimes. My platform will not stop when my reign as Miss Sierra Vista is over, or even when I graduate college. As a future educator, I will always be promoting literacy and life-long learning.
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