Miss New Mexico launches literacy project

Erica Zucco
August 24, 2016 10:11 AM

The reigning Miss New Mexico heads to Atlantic City this weekend for the Miss America pageant, but she’s also trying to help at home by working to help change a troubling statistic.

Stephanie Chavez remembers how reading made her feel when she was younger.

“When you read a book it gives you the opportunity to go into another world and be someone else, do some other activity,” Chavez said.

But not every kid gets to feel that magic. A recent report ranked New Mexico 49th in education, with some of the lowest reading scores in the country. Chavez plans to use her platform as the newly crowned Miss New Mexico to change that.

“Making sure everyone's doing their part and not placing blame on one person or another,” Chavez said.

She’s hosting book drives for nonprofits like Cuidando Los Ninos, volunteering time to get kids excited about books, and speaking with groups about sharing the gift of reading- using her year in the crown to spread a message.

http://www.kob.com/albuquerque-news/miss-new-mexico-launches-literacy-project/4244052/