“Think Big Reading Room” opens at Cullowhee Valley

CULLOWHEE, NC – Local and national dignitaries joined students and staff at Cullowhee Valley School on Monday, October 10 to celebrate the opening of a new “Think Big Reading Room.” One of only five in North Carolina, the new space was made possible by the Carson Scholars Fund and the generosity of Gordon and Cheri Martin.

Dr. Ben Carson and his wife Candy founded the Think Big Reading Project in 1994 to award scholarships, promote literacy and encourage leisure reading to help students reach their full potential.

“Candy and I have made it our lifelong mission to instill the importance of reading, and we are honored to be opening a reading room in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina,” Dr. Ben Carson said.

Mrs. Candy Carson attended the event at Cullowhee Valley along with reading room sponsors Gordon and Cheri Martin.

“Gordon and I are honored and excited to be joining in partnership with the Think Big Reading Project to open a reading room at Cullowhee Valley School,” Cheri Martin said. “We believe acquiring a passion for reading is the basis of learning and knowledge, and a ‘Think Big Reading Room’ is the perfect environment for this love of books to happen.”

Cullowhee Valley Media Coordinator Tammy Cabe organized the project and believes it is important because the environment of the room will help students learn the value of reading for pleasure.

“My biggest hope is that kids fall in love with books and become forever readers,” Cabe said.

“We are excited and honored that Cullowhee Valley received a reading room that will be cherished for years and years to come,” Principal Holly Whisnant added. “We are so thankful to the Carson Scholars Fund and Gordon and Cheri Martin for granting this honor.”