First Lady Ann Scott and state leaders award K-12 students in the Celebrate Literacy Week, Florida! Service Project Contest

First Lady Ann Scott recognized the winners of the Celebrate Literacy Week, Florida! Service Project Contest. First Lady Scott was joined by K-12 Public Schools Chancellor Hershel Lyons and Lottery Secretary Tom Delasencerie. The award ceremony concludes the week-long celebration of reading and literacy in Florida’s schools.
First Lady Ann Scott said, “Congratulations to all of the contest winners! It is never too early for children to start contributing to their communities, and it is evident that these students put a great deal of time and effort into their projects. I am honored to recognize them for their hard work, and I encourage them and all students in Florida to continue reading and helping others develop a deeper appreciation for literacy.”
K-12 Public Schools Chancellor Hershel Lyons said, “I have been an educator for more than 30 years and while many things have changed, one fact has remained true – literacy is essential to success student achievement in K-12 schools, college and career. The Celebrate Literacy Week, Florida! Service Project Contest serves as a great reminder that everyone can play an important role in promoting reading and literacy in their homes, schools and communities.”
“On behalf of the Florida Lottery, I want to congratulate the winners of the 2017 Celebrate Literacy Week, Florida! Service Project Contest,” said Secretary Tom Delacenserie. “At the Lottery, we are committed to ensuring every student has the opportunity to receive a good education, and we are proud to once again join First Lady Scott and the Department of Education in support of their mission to highlight the importance of reading and literacy in Florida’s schools.”
The winners of the 2017 Celebrate Literacy Week, Florida! statewide contest are below.
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
First Place:                  Prairie Lake Elementary School, Orange County – “Light the Path to Literacy”
Second Place:             Pemayetv Emahakv Charter School, Glades County – “Reaching Out Across the Globe Through Literacy”
Third Place:                 Eustis Heights Elementary School, Lake County – “Stuff the Bus”
MIDDLE SCHOOLS
First Place:                  Central School, Santa Rosa County – “Harvesting Literacy: How Country Kids and Corn Mazes Change our World”
Second Place:             Swift Creek Middle School, Leon County – “Literacy Changes our World: Literacy Creates Good Citizens”
Third Place:                Lyndon B. Johnson Middle School, Brevard County – “Leaders are Readers”
HIGH SCHOOLS
First Place:                  Ft. Myers High School, Lee County – “The Ft. Myers High School Shared Reading Program”
Second Place:             Marathon High School, Monroe County – “Literacy Night and Book Exchange”
To compete in the contest, students organized a literacy-based project with teachers and community partners, and provided evidence that their project had a positive impact on their school, neighborhood and/or community. The prizes were sponsored by the Florida Education Foundation: $1,000 for first place, $500 for second place, and $250 for third place. The winning projects will be featured on the Just Read, Florida! website and the Department of Education’s social media pages. Celebrate Literacy Week, Florida! is sponsored by the Florida Lottery, Florida Education Foundation, and LEGOLAND^®  Florida Resort.
For more information about Celebrate Literacy Week, Florida!, visit Just Read, Florida!
For more information about the Florida Department of Education, visit www.fldoe.org.