On Saturday afternoon the National Association of University Women Bi-Parish Bayou Branch hosted a reading jubilee at the Blum Center in Donaldsonville.
The reading jubilee was given in order to inspire children of Donaldsonville to pick up a book and read. Lectures, skits, and songs were rendered as a way to get children involved with reading.
"Let's let the children see how vast and wide the world is with reading," said NAUW member Angelina Comminey.
Kicking the jubilee off was retired librarian and Ascension Parish Volunteer of the year, Jessie Joseph.
Children gathered in front of the audience, and each child held a card with a subject that is taught in school. One of the cards read MVP. Joseph made the audience aware that no one subject could stand alone. Each one needed the MVP. Towards the end of the presentation she revealed that Reading was the MVP.
Amongst guest speakers was Reverend Richelle Castine of the Mount Bethel A.M.E church in Plaquemine. She discussed her life story and adventures with reading. Rev. Castine summoned everyone to think of the first book they encountered. She described how little words soon become big words.
"Words are building blocks of life, people, and families," said Castine. "Nations are built from words."
A skit was performed as a way to introduce the next two speakers and show kids the importance of reading.
Attorney Debra Dugas and award winning author Juanita Dandridge gave many inventive ways to keep books fun and alive.
As the afternoon progressed Donaldsonville native, Professor Everett Parker, taught a song. Music filled the air as children and parents sung along.
Storyteller, Jessie Joseph challenged the audience to remember four special people. These persons included: Rosa Parks, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., President Barack Obama and “you” each individual. She left the attendees with the one thought:
"Rosa Parks sat so Martin Luther King could walk. Martin Luther King walked so President Obama could run. President Obama ran so that “You” could fly. So read so you can soar as high as you want to go."
The first annual reading jubilee ended on the note that illiteracy is no longer an option.
“In the world we live in today and resources that are available no one has a brick wall to tear down,” said Dugas as the eventful afternoon came to an end.