Miss Canyon Hills

Reading and writing are basic abilities required by the majority of employers, yet millions of Americans today remain either illiterate or functionally illiterate, meaning they are unable to utilize these skills at a level appropriate for activities and careers within our society. Those individuals are more likely to experience substandard health, educational, social, and employment outlooks compared to their literate counterparts, which is why literacy remains one of our greatest tools to empower people and break damaging cycles of poverty and crime. Growing up in a low income and single-parent household, I have witnessed first-hand the transformative power of reading and writing. To me, education was a catalyst, a steady reminder that it was possible for me to accomplish my dreams no matter where I came from, as long as I worked hard to accomplish them. I viewed literacy as a social equalizer, one of the few resources I had to better my life and my family. Not only did possessing skills of literacy enable me to dream, but it improved my school performance and motivated me to be an achiever, giving me the confidence I needed to embark on a successful career as a published author and law student at UCLA, proving literacy not only opens doors, but it opens dreams. 

Despite our state’s resources and economy, California has a startlingly low literacy rate of about 77%, according to a report from the World Population Review. Furthermore, the 2022 National Assessment for Educational Progress eighth-grade reading test shows that only 21% of low-income California eighth-graders scored at or above the proficient reading level for their age, and only 53% of middle to upper class eighth-graders in the state scored at or above the proficient level. As a result of continuous reading and writing from a young age, these children will gain the communicative and expressive skills needed to not only survive, but thrive, in our expanding world. To lower levels of illiteracy within local communities as well as nationwide, thereby improving their quality of life and future prospects, children must develop and strengthen their reading and writing abilities through continuous practice and engagement with literature. 

Through my volunteer work with my local California Library Literacy Services program, I have been fortunate enough to help adults find their inner confidence and strength, and I have had the opportunity to guide young children to bright futures. My demographic within this program is working with English language learners who are strengthening their literacy and speaking skills to pass their citizenship tests. Furthermore, I am proud to say that as Miss Canyon Hills, I have visited over 500 students so far in classroom visits to encourage reading and writing, and each classroom has received materials I have donated for every student, such as books, pencils, and bookmarks. Some of my other undertakings in support of my initiative have been hosting book drives and collecting over 300 books to donate to local libraries, establishing a Little Free Library on my university campus, raising funds for children’s school supplies, teaching writing workshops, tutoring, holding story time sessions with children in my local community, and working alongside the Canyon Hills and San Mateo school systems to inspire others towards literacy. I use my website and social media as resources to network with other advocates in my community who are interested in becoming involved with my service initiative. 

  Additionally, because I worked as a social media manager for the English Literature department of my university, I have experience and feel comfortable using social media accounts to connect with others in a creative way for advertising and engagement purposes to promote this initiative to a wider audience. My continuous goals for Literacy Opens Doors are to visit over 1,000 students by the end of this year, to partner with another statewide organization that supports literacy, and to establish a Little Free Library in the area of Canyon Hills.  Join me today and change someone's life through the transformative power of reading and writing!