Left: East Oktibbeha County Elementary School principal James Covington, left, accepts a book donation from Eric Shows of the University Honors Program. Below: Meo Stansbury, wife of MSU head basketball coach Rick Stansbury, reads to youngsters.
Honoring reading
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As part of the first-ever Honors Week last
to do something especially worthwhile,” said Eric
their students. Proving the point, a kindergarten class taught by
graduate studies at Vanderbilt University. In the
Frances Phillips gathered round to hear stories read
midst of whimsical activities such as navigating an
by Meo Stansbury, wife of MSU’s head basketball
inflatable obstacle course on the Drill Field, students
coach.
“We’re very supportive of literacy efforts and
The mother of three sons, Stansbury brought along selections from her children’s library, including
want to encourage reading among students who one
“Alphabet Mystery,” “How Do Dinosaurs Get Well?”
day will enroll in the state’s colleges and universities,”
and “What Bunny Loves.”
said Shows, a 2004 Goldwater Scholar and Ellisville native. In addition, he said, students realize the financial constraints faced by the state’s rural school systems. To help out, he and Honors Program director
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cipal James Covington and literacy coach Janice Hamilton said the donation will spark the interest of
organized a book drive for a local elementary school.
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Oktibbeha County Elementary School, where prin-
spring, University Honors Program students “wanted Shows, a May biochemistry graduate who is pursuing
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Nancy McCarley delivered a box of books to East
U
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N
U
S Summer 2005
The outcome delighted Shows, who said that an accompanying “Pitch a Penny” effort “showed even small amounts of pocket change can make a difference.” In all, honors students purchased more than 150 books for the school.