Words flew off the page last Thursday as Indian River County children participated in the nationwide JumpStart Read for the Record and Lights on Afterschool Rally. The literacy celebrations were coordinated by The Learning Alliance to promote the Moonshot Moment Goal to have 90 percent of all students reading on grade level by the third grade.

At similar events around the country, millions of educators highlighted the importance of early literacy and language skills for all children. Locally, TLA estimated that more than 4,500 students participated through public elementary schools as well as with Moonshot Community Action Network partners, including the Dasie Hope Bridgewater Center, IRC Brackett Library, Buggy Bunch, Literacy Services of IRC, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Vero Beach Karate Association, Vero Beach Museum of Art, Kindergarten Readiness Collaborative, The Learning Alliance Moonshot Academy Afterschool Programs, Little Rising Stars Preschool and Childcare Resources.

The featured book, “Maybe Something Beautiful: How Art Transformed a Neighborhood,” is based on the true story of Rafael and Candice López, who brightened the alleyways of East Village in San Diego, Calif., by turning them into colorful canvases.

The story mirrors TLA efforts to brighten the lives of children by ensuring they are equipped to be successful learners. Over the years TLA has built a vast network of collaborators to address everything from kindergarten readiness to ensuring children’s social-emotional needs are met – indicators of successful academic careers.

Valerie Evans, Liberty Magnet School media specialist, was the guest reader at Dasie Hope, sharing the story with a group of excited children enrolled in the afterschool program. Inspired by the book’s colorful illustrations and beautiful prose, the children also decorated paper doves – the universal symbol for peace.

“Events like this motivate the kids to want to read,” said Evans. “There are so many reluctant readers now, with social media and computers competing for their attention. By having someone model reading, it shows children how important and how much fun reading can be.”

“We’re a part of Moonshot and are happy to participate in events like this. It helps the kids to see people from the school here at Dasie Hope; to let them know we’re all working together,” said Verna Wright, Dasie Hope founder. “If it weren’t for afterschool programs like Dasie Hope, a lot of children wouldn’t get the extra help they need in reading. We reinforce what they are learning in school. If these children didn’t come here a lot of them wouldn’t get this kind of interaction.”

Marie O’Brien, coordinator of the county-wide event and TLA manager of Digital Media and Moonshot Outreach, explained that the JumpStart Read for the Record read-aloud and the 19th annual Lights on Afterschool Rally correspond with their efforts to create enriched literacy activities.

“It’s exciting that our county’s students enjoyed this story during the day in our preschool and elementary schools, and then in several afterschool programs celebrating extended learning opportunities,” said O’Brien.

For more information, visit thelearningalliance.org or moonshotmoment.org.