In Recognition of Max Whitaker

WHEREAS, Harry S. Truman said “Not All Readers Are Leaders, But All Leaders Are Readers” and reading aloud has been identified as one of the most important experiences parents and teachers can share with children as it is credited with building many foundational skills, introducing vocabulary, and providing a model of fluent, expressive reading, helping children recognize what reading for pleasure is all about by letting them experience the joy of a story; and

WHEREAS, Max Whitaker, a 4th grade student at Gray Elementary School and enthusiastic reader, shines as an example of the intersection of leadership and reading; and

WHEREAS, Max founded The Read Along Friends” in May of 2020;

WHEREAS, The Read Along Friends has six adult board members, Max serves as its CEO; and

WHEREAS, The Read Along Friends hosts special Read Aloud events on holidays and special author nights like one with Eric Carle held on May 21st; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Max, as he is known, enjoys teaching in his classroom at home, reading books live on his Facebook page two to three times a week and it is estimated that Max has read aloud more than a hundred books over the past year; and

WHEREAS, in January of 2018, Max joined the team at Mini Miracles Pediatric Therapy PLLC, which serves children and families in Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia, where he obtained honorary Occupational Therapists status; and

WHEREAS, in addition to working for his Facebook and Twitter groups for The Read Along Friends, and working at Mini Miracles, Max enjoys being with his family, friends, church, school, reading, music, going on vacations, going to the movies, swimming, and going to sporting events.

BE IT PROCLAIMED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, TENNESSEE, THAT:

We do hereby recognize Max “Mr. Max” Whitaker for his enthusiasm for reading, for exhibiting leadership skills, and for serving as a fine example to both children and adults of how to maximize efforts towards achievement of a goal by working collaboratively with others.