Olivia Williams, wife of state Rep. Al Williams, D-Midway, recently read to Shirita Alvin’s kindergarten class at Waldo Pafford Elementary as part of “Read Across Georgia.”
Georgia’s first lady, Sandra Deal, began the initiative in support of Gov. Nathan Deal’s goal of increasing the percentage of children reading at grade level by the completion of third grade. Williams, along with other Georgia legislative spouses and Sandra Deal, are touring Georgia school districts to promote early literacy. The book that was selected by Deal was “Who I’d Like to Be.”
After reading the book to Alvin’s class, Williams asked each student what they wanted to be. Student responses varied from doctor to firefighter to astronaut.
“You can be anything you want to be, but you must first learn how to read,” said Williams, who also presented a copy of the book to Waldo Pafford Principal Dr. Sonia Bacon.
“Waldo Pafford Elementary is the first school in Liberty County to receive a copy of the book and have it read,” Williams said. “I am excited to be here at Waldo Pafford Elementary. Mr. Waldo Pafford, the school’s namesake, was my principal when I was in elementary school.”