Miss NSU platform permanently adopts Rowdy the RiverHawk

(Tahlequah, Okla.)-- As part of Miss NSU 2014 LaTasha Atcitys platform, the Rowdy the RiverHawk Readers Program was created. Through the campaign, Miss NSU, accompanied by Rowdy the RiverHawk, visits with area third graders prior to their state reading assessments, reads a story, gets the students excited about reading, and then gives each student their very own story book and bookmark that reads, Today a reader, tomorrow a leader.

Growing up with learning disabilities, Atcity chose to focus heavily on education and reading in the Tahlequah and surrounding area communities, hoping to help children overcome similar disabilities and to become passionate about reading.

Due to the major successes the campaign had last year, Miss NSU 2015, Katie Beasley, has chosen to incorporate the program into her campaign as well.

LaTasha left a legacy, and the successes of it really stuck with me, Beasley said.

She was able to really inspire the kids to get excited about reading, and I want to continue that. I want the students to remember that were rooting for them.

OnApril 2 and 9, Beasley took the program to Heritage Elementary School, Greenwood Elementary School and Cherokee Elementary School, all of which she said were major successes.

During her three trips, she read A Bad Case of Stripes, by David Shannon, which focuses on being yourself and standing up to bullying.

During her time at the area schools, Beasley joked that she learned more from the third graders than they did from her.

When Rowdy and I came in, the students were lined up, with their mouths opened, in awe of Rowdy and my crown, she said.

Rowdy acted out the book, and the students were so involved with the reading. What I didn't expect was for so many of the students to ask for chapter books at the end when we handed out books. I havent been able to stop talking about the experience.

Beasley also sees the campaign as an early recruitment tool for NSU, with college coming to the students.

Sarah Johnson, coordinator of Campus Activities at NSU, couldn't agree more.

I believe that its never too early to connect students with our institution, but more importantly, I believe it is important to provide positive role models to the children in our community, she said.

Miss NSU has a history of visiting elementary schools in the Tahlequah area, and this specific partnership allows for NSU to partner with the schools and work with the administrators, student and families to encourage best reading practices.

Another very evident connection that has become apparent through this program is the number of staff members at the elementary schools who have ties to NSU.

At each school, when the teachers were asked to raise their hands if they went to NSU, most hands in the room went up.

For Miss NSU and Rowdy to serve in our schools and to see so many of our graduates doing an outstanding job of encouraging students and creating an excitement for learning, this just solidifies the level of service and excellence we believe in, Dr. Allyson Watson said, endowed chair for Urban Education, Outreach and Research and faculty sponsor of the Rowdy the RiverHawk Readers Program.

For more information on the program, please contact Dr. Allyson Watson at leggett@nsuok.edu.