Grande Prairie Reading University

Learning is such an individual thing. In school we seem to live through many of the same experiences as our peers do, but we actually process them in different ways, and at differing times. At Grade 3 Reading University, one of the program’s underlying principles is that mistakes are natural steps in learning and can often point the way toward success. The process of being a good reader is a lifelong journey, not a sprint to be first and/or best. In the words of the ancient p...hilosopher, Confucius (551-479 BC): It does not matter how slowly you go, so long as you do not stop. In 2011, eight year old Morgan Bodnaruk was a Grade 3 student in a French-Immersion program in Grande Prairie who was referred to the Reading U summer program because she was not at the standardized reading level for her grade. In fairness to Morgan, her daily language of instruction was French and so it was not surprising that she might need a little help in English reading. Fast forward to 2020, Morgan graduates from St. Joseph’s High School in Grande Prairie and is awarded the 2020 Reading University Student Award for future study. The entire cadre of Reading University supporters are very proud to salute Morgan and all her many accomplishments since she left the stage as one of our graduates. She spent a year in Brazil as a Rotary exchange student, an experience that she claims changed her life and paved the way for her future goals. She is a community volunteer and works part-time to support her upcoming studies. This self-confident, enthusiastic and future-focused young woman is beginning her courses in political science at the University of Alberta in the Fall. Morgan aspires to become a Human Rights Attorney with a focus on the principles of social justice. At the award presentation, we were amazed at how easily she silpped into and held a conversation with four adults, previously unknown to her. What a gift! We are confident that this well organized and self-driven young woman will achieve great things. All the best in your studies, Morgan!

Though we must, unfortunately, take a pause this year, it is important to remember where it all began. The Grande Prairie Reading University was developed with the help of the Camrose program for our children, our future.

At Reading University we have spent each July for the past 12 years working with Grade 3 students to improve their reading skills. In celebration of our 10th Anniversary, we began the RU Student Award available to any high school graduate who successfully completed the program while in elementary school. The Bad News is that COVID-19 is preventing us from offering our program to 200 eager Grade 3 students this summer. The GOOD NEWS IS we will still be celebrating RU graduate...s this year by once again offering the RU student Award. It is open to ANY RU graduate for ANY post-secondary educational pursuit - trade school, college, university, etc. If you or someone you know qualifies for an RU Award for further study, check out our website https://readingu.org/ for application details.

Thank you so much Grande Prairie River Rats for your continued support. And thank you, Dustin, for dropping off the donation last week!