Sabrina Hutto

2007 SAM State Winner

Fitzgerald/Ben Hill County

Public Speaking - Elementary School

How Communities In Schools Has Made A Difference In My Life

A Speech By Sabrina Hutto

When I was in first grade, I did not like it when it was my turn to read in class because I just could not read. My teacher talked about getting me into the CIS tutoring program and my mama signed so I could be tutored.

The first day Ms. Mary came to see me she told me that I had been picked to be in a program and we would read books and take AIR tests and work on my spelling words each week. I remember that day and I looked up at her and said, "I think you picked the wrong person because I can't read." She told me that we would work on that and that if I could read, I could do anything.

We started working together and before long I was able to read a short easy book and made 100% on the AIR test. It felt so good to find out that I could read and I was very happy. Every week we worked hard and I was reading better and better and picking harder books to read. One of my favorite books is Wait, Skates! And I read it one day and made another 100% on the test. I was starting to read to my family at home and do my homework better.

School was more fun for me now because I was making better grades and feeling real good about myself. My spelling grade was 100 most of the time. By the end of the first grade I had over 80 AIR points and got to go the Principal's Picnic at Ben Hill Primary. That was a lot of fun.

Last year, I entered a project in Student Achievement Month that went to regional competition. Working on the project made me feel special and I am proud of the medal I won.

At the end of the school year Communities In Schools had a party at the Grand Theatre and everyone in the program got a special tee shirt and got to walk across the stage to get a certificate when our name was called. Afterwards we had a party upstairs.

This year I am in second grade and still in Communities In Schools. Now I am reading really hard books and chapter books. I love Junie B. Jones books and have read almost every one of them. CIS has helped me build my own personal library at home by having book giveaways at school. I have learned to read and I know that I can do anything now.

Thank you, Communities In Schools.