On Tuesday, July 25th, Danville Community College (DCC) hosted a Danville/Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce ‘Morning Brew’ event at Links Coffeehouse to publicly launch a new literacy project that delivers an important message – that obstacles can be overcome with perseverance and grit – in the form of a children’s book, ‘Ace the Mighty Conquers Knight School’.
During the standing-room-only event, more than 60 Chamber Members looked on as Dr. Jerry Wallace, president of DCC, offered welcome remarks and spoke about the mission of Danville Community College in the community.
“Danville Community College is committed to providing quality, comprehensive education, workforce programs, and services to promote student success and enhance business and community partnerships,” said Dr. Wallace. “This project is another example of how we are partnering with the community to embrace education and promote literacy.”
The book, authored by Dr. Jerry Wallace and Faith O’Neil, director of Public Relations and Marketing, will be featured in an Elementary School Book Tour this fall, beginning with Pittsylvania County Elementary Schools. Ms. O’Neil shared the reason for the project with event goers and describe the two-fold impact the story has for elementary students.
“Often in the community college setting, we find that students question their ability to succeed in obtaining their higher education goals, often before they are even enrolled,” said Ms. O’Neil. “We hope that our local elementary school students will not only enjoy hearing the story and reading the book, but we hope that they will take away the important message that with hard work and persistence, goals can be achieved.”
Every class on the Elementary School Book Tour will receive a hardcover book for their classroom, as well as commemorative ‘Ace the Mighty’ bookmarks and pins.
“We are so excited to share this project with the elementary schools across our service region,” said Dr. Wallace. “It is a unique opportunity for us to connect with our K-12 partners and support the community in a positive, fun, impactful way.”
The book includes several recognizable characters, including Dr. Carlyle Ramsey, DCC President Emeritus, who is featured as the Wise Wizard Carlyle; Ace, Dr. Wallace’s Yorkiepoo, who inspired and stars in the story; and Pippa, Ace’s real-life miniature schnauzer sister.
‘Ace the Mighty Conquers Knight School’ will be available for purchase in the Castle Bookstore on the DCC Campus beginning September 1.
To read ‘Ace the Mighty Conquers Knight School’ online, visit www.danville.edu/AceTheMighty
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