Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan and Miss Florida 2025, Paris Richardson, have brought a dash of inspiration to young minds at Dinsmore Elementary School. The heart of the event was to promote the joy of reading and the Mayor's River City Readers initiative, which is determined to offer free books and encourage literacy among Jacksonville's youth.
During the event, children had the hands-on opportunity to fully embrace books, receiving titles from the Mayor's Bookmobile. Richardson, a local icon and advocate for health equity, shared her personal story and read to the kids. According to a post on City of Jacksonville's official website, she also gifted them copies of her own children's book, The Not-So-Secret Garden Project, and motivated students by discussing her role as Miss Florida and her outlook on literacy.
Mayor Deegan took a moment to commend Richardson's work in education, highlighting the significance of having local figures to serve as models for the young generation. "Books open doors to opportunity, imagination, and confidence," Mayor Deegan was quoted by the City of Jacksonville's website. Richardson's visit was not only about storytelling but also about instilling a sense of self-belief in the students, as she told them, "Literacy is the foundation for every success. Sharing my book with you is not just about reading, it’s about believing in yourselves and in the power of your own stories."
The collaboration aligns with the City of Jacksonville's ongoing goal to better equip children with reading resources and educational tools. Since its establishment two years ago, the River City Readers program has already begun to make a noticeable difference in literacy rates, with an improvement in the 2024-25 third grade literacy rates, as stated by the city's release—51% of students achieved at or above Level 3 on the Florida Assessment of Student Thinking (FAST).
