What hospitality! I encounter it everywhere I go. Because of my partnership with Communities In Schools of North Carolina, I am spreading the love for reading across the state and gaining a ton of welcomes in return.
When I arrive to a particular area to embark on my tour of schools, I am always met by a local Communities In Schools representative who guides me along my way. I have spent time with new and old friends in the CIS office as a result. The executive directors, staff, and volunteers who coordinate my visits are certainly busy giving all they have to support the children who need it most.
And I can see why they do it. These children are wonderful! After every presentation (whether it is on reading or decision-making), I receive more hugs and thank you's than I could have anticipated. I have been presented with school t-shirts, sweatshirts, and coffee mugs, pens and books. One book even had the signatures of the children I read to that day, each one under a different picture of a dinosaur! Towns welcome me with local marquee signs and the news media always stop by to cover a visit. The students also document the event. I have posed for yearbook photos, read words of wisdom for two schools' news shows, and been interviewed by an eager group of aspiring fifth-grade journalists who came prepared with wonderful questions. Another school posted an interview on its school Web site. Check out this podcast from Broad Creek Middle's technology team:
http://www.carteretcountyschools.org/bcms/.
One of my favorite moments occurred at an elementary school in Carteret County (I was in town to visit schools for two days and to appear at the Seafood Festival for two days, a GREAT time!). I was asked to remain outside of the gym until I was called upon. It was a delight to see that the Safety Patrol (fifth-graders who look out for the hall and bus-loading safety of the younger kids) would escort me to the microphone. I had my own security detail, like the President! I wonder if they had a secret code name for me? At the end of the session, all of the students stood to serenade me with their school song. It is truly a precious memory.
Oh, and they feed me too! Lunch is a nice moment to relax and get to know teachers, administrators, and students. And I always know that an assortment of snacks will be ready at Thomasville Primary where "Read to Me" all began...
Returning to Thomasville was especially sweet. It was like a "Read to Me" reunion. I reconnected with the media specialists and director of the Communities In Schools of Thomasville chapter who helped me to establish the program. Over lunch, I met with the local CIS Board. I was surprised to be presented with a hand-crafted walking stick. Instead of giving away keys to the city, the Davidson County Commissioners give a lovely, locally-made walking stick. A plaque thanks me for my service to the community and notes that it is only the fifth of its kind to be given away.
Like I said, it is a delight to reconnect with people who have helped along the way to bring "Read to Me" to life. But it is also a blast to find people you never expected to find. While giving a good-decisions presentation at a middle school, I noticed a teacher sitting at the top of the bleachers. He looked familiar and he seemed to be paying particularly close attention to my message. As he walked up to speak afterwards, it all became clear. "Mr. Sanderson!" I exclaimed. My freshman Biology teacher now teaches middle school science by the beach. What a small world.
Although visiting students is my favorite part about being Miss North Carolina, I revel in the opportunity to experience a number of different events. This past weekend at the Seafood Festival I toured a naval ship (the officers were hospitable as well; they must have learned it in school!), flung the first flounder into a frying pan (a Miss NC tradition, I was successful on all three tries), and sent off professional fisherman for a tournament (look for footage of me calling their boat numbers on ESPN2 in December). The great thing about attending the Seafood Festival was that I was able to visit longer with the students I had met in school that week. Many showed up for the festivities and many approached me to chat about the school visit or the fun rides and delicious food.
So impressed with our schools, students, and CIS chapters,
Jessica
