More than 1,000 second-grade students in San Angelo ISD celebrated literacy and the importance of individuality during the United Way of the Concho Valley’s "United We Read" event November 6. The event featured a special reading of “The Littlest Yak” by Ashley Ammons, UWCV President and CEO, who shared the story with second graders at Reagan Elementary. 

“At the United Way of the Concho Valley, we believe that literacy is the foundation of a strong, thriving community and remains one of our top priorities,” Ms. Ammons said. “By empowering children to develop essential reading skills, we're opening doors to academic success and lifelong learning.” 

At the same time, volunteers from local businesses and organizations read “The Littlest Yak” to second graders at other SAISD elementary schools. Afterward, each group participated in a creative, book-themed activity to reinforce the story’s message of self-expression and individuality. The event celebrated both the joy of reading and the importance of embracing one’s uniqueness, inspiring young students to appreciate their own special qualities.

“We were thrilled to have over 85 volunteers reading to students across San Angelo ISD campuses, each helping to spark a love for reading and literacy in our local students,” Ms. Ammons said. “Our United We Read event brought together volunteers, educators and students to celebrate literacy and its impact on our future … Literacy empowers individuals, strengthens families, and uplifts communities, and we are grateful for everyone who shares in our mission to create a brighter future for the Concho Valley.” 

United We Read is a collaboration between the UWCV and SAISD’s literacy initiative, San Angelo READS!. The initiative encourages reading to and with children, helping to foster a lifelong love of learning. As part of the event, every second-grade student in the district received a copy of “The Littlest Yak,” generously provided by the United Way.

Written by Lu Fraser and illustrated by Kate Hindley, “The Littlest Yak” is a rhyming picture book that tells the story of Gertie, a young yak who learns to appreciate her special qualities and the value of being small. As the smallest member of her herd, Gertie dreams of growing big and strong but soon discovers that her size is an asset. When her mother needs help rescuing a yak stranded on a cliff, Gertie’s small size becomes the key to the rescue. Through this adventure, Gertie realizes that being the littlest yak is exactly what makes her perfect. 

The heartwarming story celebrates individuality, self-esteem, and the joy of embracing who you are – reminding readers that it’s okay to be small, young and uniquely themselves.

“SAISD is deeply thankful to the United Way of the Concho Valley and all the volunteers who dedicated their time to read with and engage our students today,” said SAISD Director of Community Relations, Sun Cha. “We are fortunate to have such supportive community partners who generously invest in the success and well-being of our students.” 

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About the United Way of the Concho Valley 

United Way of the Concho Valley fights for the education, health and financial stability of all individuals in the 14 counties of the Concho Valley. Together with Community Partners, United Way works to address the root causes of poverty to not only deliver hope, but bring lasting change.

About San Angelo READS! 

Launched by the district in 2020, San Angelo READS! is a community-wide literacy initiative aimed at encouraging reading and fostering the attributes of SAISD’s future-ready learner profile among students and the greater San Angelo community. The initiative raises awareness about the importance of literacy and inspires a love of reading. Studies show that children and teenagers who read for pleasure on a daily or weekly basis score better on reading and writing tests than infrequent or non-readers.

SAISD kicked off San Angelo READS! on December 9, 2020, with the inaugural San Angelo Reads! Day, a day of celebrating literacy throughout the district. The day featured read-ins, the unveiling of book vending machines, and the gift of a book to every third grader, courtesy of the San Angelo Area Foundation. Through initiatives like these, SAISD is committed to building literacy skills that prepare students for future success and help create a better tomorrow for our community.