Miss North Carolina Celebrates Read Across America with NCAE

State's reigning queen is also a future teacher

RALEIGH, N.C., Feb. 23, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The North Carolina Association of Educators (NCAE) hosted Adrienne Core, the 2010-11 Miss North Carolina, for a special meeting with the Cat-in-the-Hat in recognition of Read Across America. Core loves Dr. Seuss and wants everyone to celebrate the 13th annual National Education Association's (NEA) Read Across America on March 2, 2011. Started in 1997, Read Across America is an annual reading awareness and motivation program that calls for everyone to celebrate reading on the birthday of beloved children's author Dr. Seuss. NCAE members across the state will participate in this special day with reading events in schools and communities in North Carolina.

Today you are you, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is you-er than you. "That's the Dr. Seuss quote my sister, an elementary school media specialist, sent me as words of encouragement right before my Miss America interview last month," Core said.

"My sister also gave me Oh the places you'll go! as a high school graduation gift," she added. "It's a great story for that time in life, and I plan also to give that book as a graduation gift." Core loves reading in general, and she wants all children to find books that interest them to spark that joy of reading for a lifetime. Miss North Carolina, fully decked out in her official crown and sash, came to the NCAE Center recently to greet and take photos with the famous cat in honor of Read Across America Day.

"My brother-in-law reads lots of books about history. I love mysteries and really enjoyed the Harry Potter series. Reading is so important to developing creativity and imagination in children," she said.

The state's reigning queen says these days she's reading lots of newspapers, like USA Today and the New York Times, to keep up with current events for her role as Miss North Carolina.

In August, after her royal year is completed, Core will return to school to pursue a master's degree in math education. Core plans to become a teacher. She currently holds a bachelor's degree in math education, earned as a North Carolina Teaching Fellow. She has already completed her student teaching at Cary High School and remembers Read Across America being celebrated during her time there.

"What a thrill to know that our reigning Miss North Carolina will join the ranks of the teaching profession and that she loves Dr. Seuss and reading," said NCAE President Sheri Strickland. "I hope that students are inspired to read seeing that beauty and brains are a winning combination.  

"Over the years, NCAE has donated thousands of books to children in recognition of Read Across America and our members have hosted hundreds of reading events in schools, malls and libraries. I encourage all parents to read with their children on March 2 and participate in Read Across America events in their local communities."

"I always knew teaching was for me," Core said. "I did well in math and science, and people tried to tell me to go into other fields to make more money, but for me teaching is a calling. It's not an easy way to go, but when you know it's for you, you have to pursue it. You do it because you love it."

Core also has words of support and understanding for educators during this time of talk about budget cuts. She knows that educators are "doing everything they can for students, finding ways to help children, and keeping the children's interest first."

For more information about NEA's Read Across America, visit. www.nea.org/readacross.

NCAE is the state's largest education association, representing nearly 60,000 active, retired and student members in North Carolina. NCAE is a state affiliate of the National Education Association which represents 3.2 million members worldwide.

Please note: A digital photo is available at http://www.ncae.org/Images/Users/13/IMG_0206.JPG or by request.

SOURCE North Carolina Association of Educators