A house RESOLUTION

to recognize and honor Cassondra OWens "Cassie" Moore, librarian at Seneca Middle School, for the Remarkable programs that have won the library the Prestigious South Carolina Library of the Year award.

Whereas, for three years, Cassondra Moore has focused on creating inclusive and engaging programs for all of her students at Seneca Middle School, and her efforts have earned the library the coveted honor of being named the 2024 South Carolina Outstanding Library of the Year from the South Carolina Association of School Librarians; and

Whereas, in March she will receive the award in person in Columbia and give a presentation about the library's programs. In applying for the award, Ms. Moore explained how she is creating a learning environment, engaging students, and giving students space and a voice to talk and to interact with different perspectives and different ideas; and

Whereas, she considers it paramount for all students to have a chance to participate in her library's programs, and her desire has been driving her accomplishments in the Seneca Middle School library; and

Whereas, two special programs at Seneca Middle include Book Joy and Project Lit. For Book Joy, Ms. Moore records students talking about their favorite books as a way to give recommendations to other students, and Project Lit is a multi-grade, student-centered, student-led book club in which students choose from a list of books to read and then gather before school to discuss the books; and

Whereas, students participating in Project Lit must arrive early before school because they have chosen to spend that time in the library discussing books and encouraging others to read books. When Ms. Moore sees students who might not have crossed paths otherwise talking about a book, it gives her great joy; and

Whereas, on First Chapter Fridays, Ms. Moore reads a chapter of a book as part of the morning announcements, allowing all students to hear a book that they might not have picked up before. Those books are borrowed fast, so it helps students look for a book they might not have chosen; and

Whereas, one of the library's higher profile events is Strive for 25, for which students read between five and twenty-five books, earning new achievement levels as they go, and all students who read at least five books during the year get to participate in a celebration at the end of the year. The program includes all grade levels and all students, including those who are nonverbal or neurodivergent; and

Whereas, Ms. Moore feels blessed to have had incredible support from administrators past and present, from teachers, from parents, and from community members and local businesses; and

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives is deeply grateful for the efforts of educators like Cassie Moore who devote themselves to the education of young people in the Palmetto State so that their students can become tomorrow's leaders. The members wish her continued success as she guides students to understand the importance of reading and to enjoy it for themselves. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, recognize and honor Cassondra Owens "Cassie" Moore, librarian at Seneca Middle School, for the remarkable programs that have won her library the prestigious South Carolina Library of the Year.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Cassondra Owens "Cassie" Moore.

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