Valley View Elementary student Madelion Tsukas was recently named one of the Governor’s Early Literacy Foundation’s Little Literacy Leaders.
“She’s worked very, very hard,” Valley View Principal Jason Dotson said. “Her family’s here today, and we have some special guests with us today from the state of Tennessee education department — and it’s a big deal. So we want to give her all the recognition and the accolades that she’s worked for.”
Madelion was honored in an assembly at school in front of a crowd of her fellow students on May 1.
“This should inspire all of you to do your very best, and maybe one day you’ll get an award just like Madelion today,” Dotson said.
Heather Logan, who works with the Governor’s Early Literacy Foundation, presented Madelion with a backpack, which had books in it.
“We’re celebrating 10 students in Tennessee under 10 who have done great things in their literacy journey this year,” Logan said. “We know that reading is hard.”
The books in the backpack included Madelion’s favorite book: “Because of Winn-Dixie” by Kate DiCamillo.
“Madelion is tenacious,” Valley View assistant principal April Paul said. “She doesn’t give up. When something is hard, she keeps working.”
When it was time to nominate someone for the recognition, Paul thought of Madelion.
“I received an email and the email simply asked us to nominate a third-grader, so all of the third-graders have worked extremely hard, but Madelion stood out in my head — and there were a couple of reasons why,” Paul said. “Madelion initiated tutoring herself when she started struggling just a little bit to read. So that was in first grade, so at 6:30 a.m. in the morning, she would come in and work to get better at reading, sounding out words.”
Madelion aspires to be a cosmetologist when she grows up.
“Try your best,” Madelion said. “Don’t give up, and sound out your words.”
Madelion received a $1,500 college scholarship.
“Faculty and staff, congratulations to you and thank you for the hard work that you’ve poured into your students and especially Madelion,” Director of Schools Jennifer Fields said. “You’ve made us all proud in Campbell County, and a special thanks for the Governor’s Early Literacy Foundation for giving our students, not just in Campbell County but across the state of Tennessee, an opportunity to improve in literacy because we all know that not only does hard work pay off, Madelion, but your hard work, getting up at 6:30 every morning and the good attitude that Ms. Paul says you always have, that is going to serve you well in life. So students, let Madelion be an example to you because this is the hard work that you want to display because it will not only make you successful in reading, but it will make you successful in life. And you, too, can earn a scholarship because there are many more scholarships available. This is just the first and the youngest I’ve seen, certainly in Campbell County. So thank you to everyone — and Madelion, we’re very proud of you.”
