Miss New Jersey 2013, Cara McCollum, is set to visit the Langtree Elementary School Book Club.
McCollum is set to participate in a recognition ceremony honoring students for their participation. During the ceremony, students will be recognized for their year-long commitment to improving literacy in their school.
PTA vice president and book club founder Danielle Nutt said she was inspired to start the group after learning many Langtree students are below reading level.
“Last summer our principal shared the eye opening statistic that only half of our students were reading on grade level,” Nutt said in a statement. “After the initial shock set in, we committed ourselves to be a part of the solution.”
Book Club members meet every Tuesday before school in the Langtree Library to discuss and celebrate books. The breakfast book club is funded by the Langtree PTA and run by parent and grandparent volunteers.
McCollum, an advocate for youth literacy, is at the end of her reign as Miss New Jersey 2013. She started a monthly story time at the Boys and Girls Club, donated more than 1,000 books to a children’s library and started a countywide birthday book program for poor children age five to 10.
Langtree kindergartners Chloe Mendola and Charlianne Nutt read with Book Club founder Danielle Nutt.,
