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Special reading event underscores importance of construction industry
Photo courtesy of Charissa Wells.
Last month, Rio Rancho Mayor Greg Hull read the book “Grit Leads to Greatness” to third graders at Maggie Cordova Elementary to promote the construction career field.
Associated General Contractors (AGC) New Mexico partnered with the mayor, construction industry partners and Rio Rancho Public Schools to put on the reading event.
“Grit Leads to Greatness,” written by Jenny Kerr Schroen and Chris Eccleston of Delmarva Veteran Builders, is a construction-superhero novel aimed at exploring the importance and worth of a career in the construction industry.
“We are proud of the generous dedication of our AGC members and Mayor Hull, who extended a powerful message to third-grade students in Rio Rancho through the gift of ‘Grit Leads to Greatness,’” said Kelly Roepke-Orth, CEO of AGC NM. “Each student received a copy of this inspiring book, made possible by the generous contributions of our members and AGC’s New Mexico Building Education Foundation.”
More than 100 students got to ask questions to industry professionals and take home a copy of the book.
“The district is committed to making career-technical education readily available and easily
accessible to all of our students,” said RRPS Superintendent Sue Cleveland. “We are excited to welcome our mayor and members of the construction industry into our schools for this fun and informative program.”
AGC New Mexico plans to do another reading for all third grade classes in Los Lunas Public Schools as well as other third grade classes in RRPS.
AGC New Mexico and its industry partners are in search of book donations and volunteers from the construction industry who would like to help with the readings.
“At AGC NM, we initiated this effort as a testament to our commitment to advancing career and technical education, fostering career exploration and dismantling preconceived notions about the construction industry. It’s not just an industry initiative; it’s also a literacy initiative that underscores our dedication to nurturing a brighter future for the next generation,” Roepke-Orth said.
