This past Thursday, 15 young people graduated from the Read for Fun summer reading program that had been in session since June 4. Mattie McDaniels, the Read for Fun Program Administrator-Choctaw County, stated that reading is the essence of our being and the importance of good reading skills could not be overstated.
McDaniels stated that enrollment in the program this summer had to be limited to about half of last year’s number, due to cuts in social program funding at Prairie Opportunity. Their funding, along with that of concerned individuals, allowed the program to be presented.
The 2019 Read for Fun lasted for eight weeks, three days per week, from 9 a.m.-2 p.m.; children were provided breakfast, lunch and a snack. The group was broken up into three levels with Donna Dilworth teaching 1st & 2nd grades, Mattie McDaniels teaching 3rd & 4th, and Deirdre Rush teaching 5th & 6th. Rush pointed out that the 5th & 6th grades read a total of 150 books during the eight weeks.
In addition, the children took field trips to the Ackerman Town Hall where Mayor Tim Cutts allowed them to serve as ‘Mayor for a Minute’, the Choctaw County Courthouse and the 4-H MSU Extension Office.
The graduation program was under the direction of Nevaeh Wells Carter, Mistress of Ceremony, and consisted of several presentations, and each child being awarded a personalized certificate. Lunch was served immediately after the program.
McDaniels gave special recognition to Dilworth, Rush and Effie Davis if food services. She also thanked the many sponsors who helped to fund the 2019 program.
