TTiePlfet Thursday, February 27,2003 Page 3 News Gardner-Webb reads a million mm n Photo by Christina O Grady Members of Donna Simmon’s Children’s Literature class participate in Cleveland Community College and The Shelby Star’s "Cleveland Reads a Million ” literacy program. Children’s Lit. class joins literacy project Megan Berry Pilot staff The Gardner-Webb Children’s Literature class recently joined a literacy promotion project sponsored by Cleveland County Community College and The Shelby Star The goal of the year-long program, called Cleveland Reads a Million, is for Cleveland County to read a million books in one year’s time. The community counts began Oct. 26, 2002 and will run through this year. GWU Children’s Literature professor, Donna Simmons, heard about the program from members of the community. “I thought it would be fun to have my classes involved in this reading program,” said Simmons. “It's our way of supporting literacy and the community at the same time.” The class responded positively. Simmons’ students have the opportunity to participate individually, in addition to their class participating. Last Thursday Simmons turned in a class total of 191 books that have been read this semester. The minimum class require ment for the semestQr is for each student to read 35 books. Simmons plans to continue turning in totals near the end of each month until the semester ends. Simmons and her husband are working together to read as many books as they can “I thought it would be fun to have my classes involved in this reading program. It^s our way of supporting literacy and the community at the same time. ” — Donna Simmons to support the schools, libraries, The Star and community of Cleveland County. The Star is looking for partnerships within the community, such as book clubs, churches, senior centers, families, individ uals and businesses who will actively take part in reading, recording and encouraging others to join the cause. To become a part of Cleveland Reads a Million, start with reading books and encouraging others to do the same. Groups can start collecting totals by the use of sign-up boards, posters and drop boxes. Those wishing to participate may sub mit monthly totals either online at www.shelbystar.com or by mail to RO. Box 48, Shelby, N.C. 28151. For more information about the program contact Sunny Roe at 704-484-7000 or sunny_roe@link.fTeedom.com. Published poet Professor up for poetry award Laurie Pinkert Pilot staff Tony Morris, of the English department, has been nominated for the Pushcart Prize. This yearly award highlights the new voices in poetry by evaluating works that have been published during the previ ous year by a Morris small press in the United States. “Poetry, for me, is a way of speaking about our life experi ences in a highly condensed and imagistic way,” Morris said. . Morris was notified in January of his nomination. Winners of the Pushcart Prize will be announced this summer. Each contestant in the contest submits three poems, one of which will may be nominated for the award. The poems must have an universal theme. “Few things are worth writing about; love, birth, death and sex,” Morris said. “Those are the things that connect and contact between people.” Morris, who came to Gardner- Webb in the fall of 2002, is hope ful that he will be nominated for this award again next year. Six dif ferent journals will be publishing his poetry in the spring and fall of this year. The winners of the Pushcart Prize will be published in a journal this fall. Morris graduated from Florida State University with a Ph.D. last spring. He is now teaching Composition 101 and 102 and Early American Literature Survey. Boiling Springs Women Care Concerned Personal Obstetric & Gynecologic Care Taking Care of you while you’re away from home (Standing) Lisa Sisk, CNM, Mike M. Keeley, MD. Thomas R. Davis, MD. Steven A. Chamberlain, MD, Charles G. Lampley IV, MD, Emily Ousley, CNM. (Seated) Karen Rushford, CNM, Ingie C. Collins, MD, Christine Adams, CNM, Kelly Jones, CNM. Not pictured - Lois J. Smith, FNP All insurance plans accepted. Office located in Boiling Springs 327-B W. College Ave. Call for appointments (704) 487-5258 www.shelbywom- ens- care.medem.com