First Lady Ann Scott Kicks Off "Celebrate Literacy, Florida!" In Miami

MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Florida's First Lady Ann Scott kicked off this year's Celebrate Literacy week at a lucky South Florida high school.

Scott spent Monday morning at a reading pep rally with students at American Senior High School in Miami Lakes, promoting a cause close to her heart.

"I was passionate about reading growing up and it was a passion I shared with my daughters early on," said Scott. "Now they're even passing on their passion for reading to our three grandsons, so it's very important to me."

Scott was joined by Miami-Dade Schools Superintendent Alberto Carvalho, and Wendy Stevens, the Executive Director of Just Read, Florida!.

Celebrate Literacy Week, Florida is an annual state-wide event designed to promote reading by engaging kids and encouraging them to hit the books. Students, teachers, administrators, parents and volunteers all celebrate the success Florida's students have accomplished over the past decade.

"Everyone participated, we got posters from art club, the cheerleaders dancers and passed out pom poms just to get the best spirit from the crowd," said Yanelis Diaz, the President of student government at American Senior High School. "Everyone's feeling like they're part of this big goal."

This year's theme, "Reading Accelerates Success," connects the value of literacy with careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). As part of the week's festivities, thousands of volunteers will read to children in classrooms throughout the state.

"We are encouraging students and families to read together, to do sustained reading," said Miami-Dade School's superintendent Alberto Carvalho. "To make literacy and reading a natural event that's seen both in school and out of school."

Scott's literacy tour will take her to Conniston Middle School in West Palm Beach Monday afternoon, visiting a total of 8 schools across the state by Friday.

This year the Just Read, Florida! Office has also teamed up with the Florida Lottery and other education partners to bring portable planetariums to elementary and middle schools across the state so students can sit under the stars and learn how reading relates to science and space technology. This unique experience enables students to further understand the importance of literacy and its connection to STEM-related careers.