MORVEN — In December 2015, Johnie Pettiford was named the 2016 Miss Las Amigas Queen.
As acting queen for the organization, she created Read to Succeed.
“The program is designed to encourage reading through different genres of literature and periodicals,” Pettiford said.
The National Center of Education Statistics reports that 19 percent of adults in Anson County lack basic literacy skills. This fact helped with the decision to form Read to Succeed.
In February 2016, Pettiford, along with Joletha Little, Judy Simon and Elizabeth Kersey, gave out books and magazines to the residents of the Wadesboro Housing Authority. Betty Huntley, director of the local housing authority, is a collaborative partner and was instrumental in getting the project launched in the community.
The Read to Succeed program has been adopted by the southwest region of Las Amigas, Inc. as its service project. Pettiford serves as the chairperson. The initiative is in line with the National Las Amigas, Inc. literacy book initiative.
The Morven Chapter of Las Amigas solicited collaboration from other organizations in the county. Participating organizations will donate reading materials to Las Amigas, who will then distribute them to members of the community.
The Morven Chapter of Las Amigas has been active since 1987. Members focus on enhancing the quality of life and general improvement of communities in which they serve.
Pettiford has been a teacher for 20 years, and said she is passionate about conveying the importance of reading to both her students and their parents.
For more information on Read to Succeed, contact Pettiford via email at kidsinc1@windstream.net.