Sarasota Middle, First Lady Scott Help Kick Off Florida's Literacy Week

l offered a sight that's not witnessed everyday in a gymnasium — a room full of teenagers silent. And reading.

The school hosted the statewide kickoff of Celebrate Literacy Week, Florida! where Florida First Lady Ann Scott helped lead the event with a Million Minute Marathon where students across the state read together.

The marathon is a special program that encourages students from across the state to read for an additional 20 minutes during the school day in celebration of literacy.

Last year, schools across the state reached 17 million minutes, Scott said.

"We're not going to settle for that this year," she said. "We're aiming higher."

This year, the goal is 20 million minutes, Scott said.

The minutes will be logged and submitted to the state's Department of Education's Just Read, Florida! office.

Reading is still an important role in Scott's family life.

"I shared my passion for reading with my daughters, and they're still active today," she said. "We make recommendations together with books that we're reading or books that we want to read."

Volunteers will read to children in classrooms throughout the state this week, according to Sarasota County Schools. The initiative supports partnerships between state and local agencies, community organizations and schools while encouraging students to read each day, the school system said.

“I am passionate about supporting literacy in Florida’s communities and am honored to be a part of Celebrate Literacy Week, Florida!,” Scott said. “Books can have a profound and lasting impact on the reader and I encourage Florida families to take every opportunity to make reading a part of their daily lives.” 

“I want to thank Florida’s teachers and students for continuing to make reading a priority in their classrooms each day,” said Education Commissioner Gerard Robinson. “Celebrate Literacy Week, Florida! spotlights our state’s important work in the area of reading.  Generous contributions from our partners make these worthwhile activities possible. Thank you to our partners for supporting this rewarding activity, and may we continue to share our love of reading year round.

Students were also treated to an appearance and engine revs by a special racecar from the Daytona International Speedway that's partnered with the Florida Department of Lottery to visit schools across the state.