Warren Community achieves literary gold with Gold Rise Community Award

Collaborative Reading Initiative Honored for Transformative Impact

WARREN, Ark. – In a ceremony held at Warren Elementary on Tuesday morning, the Warren School District and the tight-knit community of Warren were bestowed with the prestigious Gold Rise Community Award for their exceptional efforts in promoting the joy of reading throughout the region.

The event commenced with a slideshow showcasing the various events held throughout the year-long project. From an Easter egg hunt to a Book bus which delivered free books to the community, and a Pink Tomato Festival free book booth, the community had rallied together to foster a love for reading in all age groups.

The ceremony kicked off in patriotic fashion as Cody Weatherspoon, representing the WHS Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC), presented the colors and led the pledge. Warren School District Superintendent, Bryan Cornish, took the stage, articulating the significance of the community-wide project centered around collaborative efforts to promote reading.

Over the past year, the community witnessed a remarkable coming together of 10-20 partners for each event, ranging from local businesses to individual citizens. Thirteen local businesses even set up dedicated reading stations, underscoring the community’s commitment to literacy. Throughout the project, an impressive 2,000 free books were distributed, enriching the lives of readers young and old.

Expressing gratitude, Superintendent Cornish acknowledged the invaluable support from the community and a grant, which played a pivotal role in making the initiative possible. The event garnered additional attention, as Craig O’Neill from THV11 in Little Rock not only covered the ceremony but also spoke about the profound impact the reading project had on the Warren community, revealing personal family connections to the town.

The pinnacle of the event arrived as Amy Counts, Assistant to the Director for the Arkansas Department of Education, presented the Gold Rise Community Award to Superintendent Cornish. In a symbolic gesture, Cornish then presented the award to the City of Warren, with Mayor Gregg Reep graciously accepting on behalf of the community. Mayor Reep highlighted the success of the program and emphasized the importance of literacy in driving economic development within the city.

The ceremony also celebrated the top readers from each Warren school across grades K-12, acknowledging their dedication to fostering a culture of reading. Local reading spot organizers, the GFWC Warren Woman’s Club, were recognized for their generous donation of books, further enriching the community’s literary resources.

Paying tribute to those who went above and beyond, Mrs. Rhonda Williams, the leader of the reading program, expressed gratitude to Robin Hollis, mother of the late children’s book author Glenn Lansdale, for her substantial donation of books. Additionally, local author Sara Daniell received recognition for her noteworthy contributions to the reading project.

As the ceremony concluded, the Warren community stood united, a shining example of how collaborative efforts can transform a town into a haven for literature, fostering a love for reading that will undoubtedly endure for generations to come.

Saline River Chronicle understands that more efforts are underway to continue the reading initiative into the new year.