Two years after capturing the Miss New Jersey crown, Arkansas native Cara McCollum is still advocating for youth literacy.
The Princeton University journalism student visited Barack Obama grade school on Bangs Avenue this morning to forward her Birthday Book Project.
“Kids get a gift-wrapped book for their birthday because I truly believe books are a gift,” McCollum said.
For the students it was just a treat away from their regularly scheduled lessons.
“It made me happy that she came to read to us,” said kindergartner Jayanna Lunsford, who presented McCollum with a bouquet of flowers as a thank-you.
Retired school-educator and newly appointed Board of Education member Carol Jones said the event helped to stimulate the youngsters’ imagination and enjoyment of reading.
“It lets them see first-hand how much fun a book can be,” Jones said.
Fun was in the air as the students laughed and cheered McCollum’s reading of B.J. Novak’s ‘A Book with No Pictures.’
McCollum said she grew up in a small impoverished community and during that time books were an outlet.
“Books for me were a way to get out of my small town and to experience things I would never had experienced there,” she said.
McCollum also met with the 16-member Eloquent Charismatic Orator public speaking group comprised of girls ages 10 to 17. The after-school group in sponsored in part by St. Stephens AME Zion church and the Asbury Park Community Action Network.
“She told us about her experience during college and during the pageant competition,” said 14-year-old member Angeleeza Ahbez-Anderson. “I think the thing I got from her visit is that everything has to be done around your passion for what you want to do in life.”
The 2014 Eloquent Orator winner, 13-year-old Angelica Binot said McCollum underlined her view that anything is possible.
“It really doesn’t matter what your status is,” Binot said. “You can always get somewhere in life.”
Binot hopes to follow her brother in her brother’s footsteps by studying medicine. She wants to be a cardiovascular surgeon.
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