Barbara Highsmith Reading academy donates more than 4k books to New Hanover County school
Reading academy donates more than 4k books to NHC school
By Port City Daily Staff
April 17, 2023
Ronnie Highsmith, Hilda de Leon, Vance Robertson and Sam Woodberry with the donated books from the Barbara Highsmith Reading Academy. (Courtesy BHRA).
NEW HANOVER COUNTY The Barbara Highsmith Reading Academy donated more than 4,000 new Scholastic K-7 childrens books to the International School at Gregory.
The donation is valued at $12,000; the gift was part of the Azalea weekend of activities for the academy. According to Gregorys principal, Hilda de Leon, the books will be used for both class instruction and student and community giveaways.
Mayor Bill Saffo proclaimed July 15 as Barbara Highsmith Reading Academy Day in the City of Wilmington in 2019. Highsmith was a lifetime educator for New Hanover County Schools for 37 years, both at Wrightsboro Elementary School and the International School at Gregory. Her children established the academy, with support from the Nick Cannon Foundation, after her passing to further her will, legacy, and in accordance with her passion to help struggling second-grade readers in Wilmington enhance their reading skills.
The academy is currently working with Gregory to bridge the literacy gap; second grade is the critical point to prevent at-risk students from obtaining needed reading skills.
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