Students sort through shelves, discussing with their friends their perfect find and head up to the desk to check out their latest discovery from Librarian Shawna Wilson. Ms. Wilson said that because of the personal communication ban in Texas, HB 1481, students turn to reading for their entertainment.
“There are so many benefits to being an active reader throughout your life,” Ms. Wilson said. “Reading helps build your focus and concentration, helps with your writing skills for college and work, increases your empathy and vocabulary skills, which we all know, knowledge is power.”
English II teacher Ms. Alix Allender said staying active in reading benefits students beyond high school academics.
“Reading exposes students to vocabulary and highlights craft choices to readers, even if the intention is just to read for fun and be entertained by a story,” Ms. Allender said. “Reading allows us to interact and empathize with characters who are different from us or live in a different reality—this ultimately reminds us of our human connection, and I think in today’s culture of instant gratification and digital communication, it’s important to recognize this humanity and the value of it.”
Ms. Allender fell in love with reading at a young age because books were her escape from reality.
“I am a self-proclaimed book nerd, and I hope to encourage students who may have lost that love of reading due to the demands of a busy academic and extra-curricular life, or to show reluctant readers that not all books are boring—you just have to find the one that’s right for you,” Ms. Allender said.
Senior Melody Johnston prefers purchasing her own copies of books since she likes to reread them, but agrees with Ms. Allender in the perspective of escape that books provide for her.
“I feel like reading is becoming more of a lost art, which is why I try to get more people to read,” Johnston said. “I think students need to have an imagination and a desire to see the world differently.”
Ms. Wilson experienced a situation where she helped multiple students fall in love with reading through her book selection.
“I have had two instances already of young men who have told me this was the first time they have read a book in high school. They both commented that they weren’t big readers but needed something to do with their time. We happened to find a book that they loved,” Ms. Wilson said. “I truly believe everyone can find something that they will love to read. This is the best part of my job. I hope I have created some lifelong readers with the choices of the books our students receive.”
