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The Center for Rural Development Visit us on the Web at: www.centertech.com FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Sharon Dodson Communications Specialist The Center for Rural Development P: 606-677-6000 sdodson@centertech.com 2292 South Highway 27, Suite 300 Somerset, Kentucky 42501 Telephone: (606) 677-6000 Facsimile: (606) 677-6010 Web Site: www.centertech.com Kentucky First Lady Jane Beshear is recognized for her role in helping to launch first-ever Feed the Mind literacy event in Pulaski County SOMERSET, Ky – Kentucky First Lady Jane Beshear has been recognized for her role in helping to launch the first-ever Feed the Mind literacy event in Pulaski County and for advancing literacy efforts in the region and throughout the state Mrs Beshear was presented a plaque by organizers of Feed the Mind Pulaski County at this year’s event for her work with Somerset businessman Chuck Coldiron and local sponsors to promote literacy and encourage school-age children to develop their reading skills in Somerset and Pulaski County “The First Lady has not only talked about the importance of literacy, but she has personally devoted her time and energy in helping students in our community know the power of reading and its relevance to their future,” said Coldiron, organizer and creator of Feed the Mind Pulaski County literacy event “We are so humbled to know that this event began in Somerset, Kentucky, and are confident her work will continue for years to come.” The presentation was made at the fourth annual Feed the Mind Pulaski County literacy event on Sept 30 at The Center for Rural Development in Somerset, the birthplace of the local celebration, before an enthusiastic group of nearly 900 third-grade students at 11 schools in the county In addition, Mrs BeShear was presented a special award by the Pulaski County Public Library for her efforts to advance literacy within the county A corner in the library will be named in honor of the First Lady and her contributions to promote literacy in the region and throughout the state “Reading is fundamental to a great education and a bright future,” Mrs Beshear said “I encourage all families to read together and to encourage their children to be the best students I applaud Pulaski County for the commitment to their children They are our future!” Feed the Mind Pulaski County is a fun, educational event School-age children from Pulaski County schools, Somerset and Science Hill Independent school districts, and Somerset Christian School come together for a free pizza party and to feed their minds receiving a complimentary children’s book from the event sponsors This year’s celebration was highlighted by a special guest appearance from Kentucky children’s author Alecia Whitaker of Harrison County; musical entertainment by fiddle player Maia Lioacono and singer Kelly Rae Burton; and a presentation by the Pulaski County Public Library Third-grade Eubank Elementary student Monica Akers was announced as the winner of an essay contest, “Why is Reading Important to Me,” and will receive a $1,000 college scholarship The scholarship may be used to attend either Somerset Community College or the University of the Kentucky “Literacy forms the foundation for our daily interactions and our community’s success,” said Jim Tackett, executive director of Forward in the Fifth, a nonprofit organization and one of the Feed the Mind Pulaski County sponsors “The work First Lady Beshear, Chuck Coldiron, and other partners will serve as a selfless example for years to come Our children and adults are too important not to keep literacy front and center.” 2015 Forward in the Fifth AppLE (Appalachian Leaders in Education) recipient Carol Sexton, children’s librarian at the Pulaski County Public Library, was recognized as one of the region’s top community leaders for her extraordinary dedication, passion, and love of advacing local literacy efforts Feed the Mind Pulaski County, originally called READ Pulaski County, was launched in 2011 by Forward in the Fifth, The Center, and members of the business community Since then, the event has garnered statewide attention and has been expanded to include schools from Central and Eastern Kentucky for the Feed the Mind – Kentucky celebration at Rupp Arena in Lexington During the last four years, more than 20,000 Kentucky children have participated in local and statewide Feed the Mind events and have been encouraged to discover the joy of reading The Feed the Mind Pulaski County literacy event is sponsored by The Center, Forward in the Fifth, Pulaski County Public Library, iHeart Media, Donatos, Hyundai, and the four local school systems -30-