Check out First Book's "Tumblr"

Have you heard about Tumblr? It is a hip blogging format that is sweeping the internet! Check out First Book's Tumblr and follow to learn about what great things the First Book organization is doing! You can also read and contribute to ongoing literacy related discussions!

Just visit www.firstbook.tumblr.com

One of the interesting topics just posted asks this --"Is there a place for traditional children's books or should we begin to introduce kids to reading through e-readers?"
Contribute your response and read the opinions of others by visiting First Book's Tumblr today!

                                                  

First Book Distribution at West Lowndes Elementary

Alongside members of the First Book Golden Triangle Advisory Board, I helped to conduct a book distribution at West Lowndes Elementary School. I was invited to Mrs. Jefferson's Kindergarten class to read and talk to the class about the importance of reading. We had a GREAT time reading, eating yummy snacks, and helping the kids pick out a brand new book provided by First Book!

It was truly like Christmas morning for these kids--they were THRILLED that they were getting a brand new book of their very own!

A special thanks to the Principal, Assistant Principal, Mrs. Jefferson, and the rest of the faculty at West Lowndes Elementary for welcoming us to their school! I was so impressed with the behavior and attentiveness of the kids at this school!

Starkville Reads Program

     

I recently was invited to attend a "Starkville Reads" meeting this past week and was so thrilled to meet community leaders who all share the same passion I have for reading!

These leaders throughout the Starkville community truly recognize the importance of reading and hold events and programs to promote reading all throughout the year!

Currently, the Starkville Reads Advisory Board is taking an initiative called "One Book, One Community."

The book selection for the month of June is My Antonia by Willa Cather. I was thrilled when I learned that this was the book selection! I read My Antonia a few years ago, and it is one of my personal favorites!
There are multiple "One Book, One Community" events in June that encourage everyone to take part in!

1. Learn about the author Willa Cather on Tuesday,
June 14

Dr. Courtney Craig Bates
Graduate of Washington University in St. Louis

Starkville Public Library 

2. Book discussion on Tuesday, June 21 at 7:00 p.m.

with Dr. Bonnie 0'Neill, Assistant professor of English at MSU

Starkville Public Library

3. Book discussion with Dr. Noel Polk
Wed., June 29 at 10:30 a.m.
Starkville Public Library

To learn more about Starkville Reads visit www.starkvillereads.org

FBC New Albany Princesses love to READ!

On May 18th, I visited First Baptist Church New Albany to hold a "Practically a Princess" Tea Party to promote my platform, First Book, and to explain to the girls how they are all true princesses!

What an AWESOME thing to know---we all really are ROYALTY because we are the children of the King of Kings!

We had a blast talking about the importance of  reading and the girls learned how important it is to have "D.E.A.R" time everyday --

-Drop Everything and Read!

 

  

A special thanks to First Baptist Church New Albany!

Lend a hand in fighting illiteracy!

Hi Friends! 

As you all may know, my platform is the non-profit organization, First Book.

First Book provides new books to children in need, addressing one of the most important factors affecting illiteracy – access to books.

First Book has distributed more than 80 million new books to programs that serve children from low-income families through a growing network of programs, organizations, and schools.

I have a simple way in which you can get involved and help provide books to children around our nation!

You can lend a hand to a great cause by simply "liking" the First Book organization page. For every "like" they receive, Disney will donate a book to a child to fight illiteracy! You can visit www.firstbook.org (or click the link on the right of my page)  to learn more ways in which you can support First Book!

First Book

What We Do First Book provides new books to children in need, addressing one of the most important factors affecting illiteracy – access to books. How We Do It First Book has distributed more than 80 million new books to programs that serve children ...See More

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D.E.A.R. - Drop Everything and Read!

This past week, I was speaking with a dear friend and former teacher who told me about a special way in which she promoted the importance of reading in her very own classroom.

D. E. A. R. 


Drop
Everything
And
Read

She said that everyday her class would take thirty minutes and literally--drop everything and read!

Since learning of this, it has really inspired me to promote this same practice throughout classrooms and other events in which I have the opportunity to speak on my platform, FirstBook, which focuses on tackling the illiteracy crisis that is facing our state and nation.

This is a GREAT thing to practice in your classroom and your HOME!
I encourage everyone to take at least 30 minutes out of their day and --Drop Everything And Read!

Tea Party Time at Holcomb Baptist Church!

This past Saturday, I had SO much fun holding a "Practically a Princess Tea Party and Etiquette Class" at Holcomb Baptist Church in Grenada, MS. We had a BLAST dressing up as princesses, learning about the importance of reading, and eating yummy snacks that the ladies of Holcomb Baptist Church were so kind to prepare!

I had a chance to speak with the "princesses" and ladies of Holcomb Baptist Church about my platform, First Book, and they even brought books to donate to the organization!
At each tea party, my main mission is to explain three very important messages:
First, and most importantly, I want each child to know that she really is a Princess because she is a true daughter of the King of Kings!
Second, I want to instill in each child the true importance of reading and how it offers the chance for one's imagination to run wild!
Third, I encourage each child to truly recognize that each of them has so much potential and that their dreams are attainable! The possibilities of what they can accomplish really are endless!
Some of the ladies and Princesses stop to strike a pose!

The girls prepared a precious song and dance to perform!

A very special thanks to Mrs. Jan Fields and all of the precious ladies at Holcomb Baptist Church for making this a magical day that was truly fit for a princess!

We had princesses of all ages--making the day even more special!



To learn more about or schedule a Tea Party, you can contact me through E-mail at jst161@msstate.edu
or by simply sending me a Facebook message.

"Practically a Princess"

     This past year, with enormous help from my precious aunt, Suzi Blissard, I planned and hosted the first annual “Practically a Princess” Tea Party and Etiquette Class for young girls. Our first tea party was definitely a success, and I was able to conduct several tea parties throughout the year. At “Practically a Princess” I was able to read to the children and talk to them about the importance of reading and school, but also speak with parents on what they can do to encourage their children in school. We also held an etiquette class and tea party, and even had arts and crafts. Through each of these programs and with all of my efforts towards my platform issue, my main goal is to continually express the importance of reading and education to children throughout the state.

     Well, I am so excited to say--It's that time again! I will hold my first "Practically a Princess" Tea Party and Etiquette Class of the season on Saturday, May 14, and have several planned for the following week. I truly look at it as a blessing to be able to visit local churches and schools and visit with young girls and speak with them on a topic that so very near and dear to my heart! I also use each tea party as a book drive and encourage each participant to bring new or gently used books to be donated to FirstBook--an organization that provides books to children in need (there is a link to the right where you can get more information on my platform, FirstBook).

     Having said all of this, I need your help! If you would like to have me--Jessica Terrill, Miss MSU 2011--to hold a "Practically a Princess" Tea Party and Etiquette Class at YOUR church, school, event, etc., please contact me! You can E-mail me at jst161@msstate.edu, or simply send me a message on Facebook.

 I can't wait to hear from you!

MSU Relief Effort

Hello friends!

As we all know, this past week has brought much pain and sorrow across our communities. As soon as the devastation occurred, I am sure many of you were like me and wondered, "How can I help?" Although there are MANY ways in that you can lend a helping hand, I wanted to let our communities know a way that they can be a part of MSU's relief effort.

Mississippi State's Student Association is sponsoring a collection of toiletry supplies to support fellow students at the University of Alabama affected by tornadoes this week. SA President Rhett Hobart said he has been in contact with University of Alabama student leadership to determine how MSU students can assist with relief efforts.


*Specific needs include toilet paper, toothpaste and deodorant. Items may be dropped off at the Union Dawg House until 5 p.m. on Monday. The Student Association will deliver the items Tuesday to the Tuscaloosa, Ala., campus. 

Please remember there is one very simple way you can help. The most powerful of all-- and that is to keep the victims and their families in your prayers. If there is one thing that I know to be true in life, it is that prayer is a mighty and powerful thing.