Horton High School Library Receives Book Donations

On Tuesday, April 16th, Kansas Poetry Out Loud State Champion, Victoria Jelks, presented the Raven Book Store in Lawrence a $1000.00 check for poetry books for the Horton High School library. The state winner each year receives $500.00 to spend on poetry books for their high school. Victoria won another $500.00 for poetry books when she became a national semifinalist at the competition in Washington, DC, in 2023. 

Students work with their teachers to select and purchase the books. Julie Geiger, Victoria’s teacher and coach, recommended she spend the money at a  Kansas-owned bookstore, in order to benefit the economy. 

Victoria agreed. “It made sense to me. Kansas honored me with the championship, so I wanted to honor Kansas by spending all of my prize money right here at home.” 

When consumers choose to purchase from local, small businesses, the beneficial economic effect is significant.  The 2022 Small Business Economic Impact Study  found that $0.68 of each dollar spent at a small business stays in that community. 

The 2024 Poetry Out Loud State Competition Victoria won on March 5 in Topeka will be broadcast on KTWU this Sunday, April 21 at 1:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. It will broadcast again at 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 25.