Fourteen-year-old, Lizzie Shacklett, an eighth grade student who currently resides in Montgomery County, recently purchased several bilingual books for children in Luzerne County Head Start’s (LCHS) preschool program.  The young woman who was recently named “Miss Luzerne County’s Outstanding Teen” is focused on raising awareness about the importance of literacy in young children. 

LCHS, which provides early childhood education and comprehensive services to qualified children from birth to age five and their families in Luzerne and Wyoming Counties, was in need of bilingual books for their dual language learners. The young woman sold some of her preloved clothing in order to raise money to purchase these books.

Kelly Chamberlain, director of education at LCHS says, “When the same story is read in two different languages, the child grasps a better understanding of language and how to use it correctly.  For this reason, bilingual books help to connect the child’s new experiences and their cultural heritage.”

Profit obtained from the sale of her preloved clothing allowed Lizzie to purchase three dozen books for three and four-year-old children at LCHS’s Beekman Street location in Wilkes-Barre. Lizzie’s goal is to donate as many books as possible to schools, educational centers and shelters.

Thank you to Lizzie for thinking of LCHS and for helping to make a difference in the lives of young children.