"Without the knowledge of words and books, we are forever in debt."

This was posted on First Book's blog earlier this month, and the statement immediately struck me. I feel that it truly conveys the importance and urgency that we should have in solving the problem of illiteracy throughout our nation.

"I always understood that literacy was a currency. I would assert that reading and reading comprehension is the price students pay for academic excellence and the price that adults pay for professional success. Without the knowledge of words and books, we are forever in debt."

-- Michele Janaye, Assistant Director of The H.O.P.E. Scholarship, a non-profit organization designed to empower financially-challenged students with need-based scholarships. 

To see the actual article and to visit First Book's Blog, visit http://blog.firstbook.org/2012/04/04/success-stories-literacy-as-currency/

Dream Big!

It has been such a blessing to serve as Miss Historic South 2012, and to be a part of the Miss America Organization.

Through my participation in the program, it has brought me to learn a true passion of mine -- mentoring young girls! Through mentoring, I want every girl to know that she is special, unique, one-of-a-kind, and that she is capable of SO much!

I want to inspire every child I mentor to know that the sky is the limit! Anything is possible through hard work, patience, and faith! Whether their dreams may be to be a teacher, or maybe a doctor, or maybe even Miss Mississippi...dream BIG!

"The future belongs to those that believe in the beauty of their dreams." - Eleanor Roosevelt