Lauri Vaughan, upper school campus librarian, was awarded the Margaret A. Edwards (MAE) Award for the for Best Literature Program for Teens for Harker’s ReCreate Reading program. The award was presented by the Young Adult Library Services Association, a division of the American Library Association.

Here is Ms. Vaughan’s article on the Harker Recreate Reading program:

The MAE Award provides $500 to the recipient and $500 to the recipient’s library, and is sponsored by the Margaret A. Edwards Trust. 

Vaughan noted the ReCreate Reading program “brings the joy and excitement of reading that the faculty, administration, staff, and coaches at the Harker School’s upper school campus have to students who perhaps are not as excited about reading. While not compulsory, most all the students participate by selecting one of the year’s books through a competitive process to read over the summer. Then after returning to school, students gather with the school staff during the first week of classes to discuss what they read.”

ReCreate Reading is “amplifying a celebration of thrilling narrative, nail-biting adventure and thought-provoking prose that organically infects the large majority of our student body with a genuine interest in reading,” stated Vaughan in her application. “The success of the program has been evidenced … most convincingly by our English department faculty who decreased and eventually eliminated required summer reading assignments. ReCreate Reading has reliably kept kids’ noses in books.”

This program, which began several years ago, continues to inspire school personnel and students to read for pleasure. Upon hearing she received this award, Vaughan said, “A program like ReCreate Reading could not happen without annual full-on participation from our faculty and staff. The commitment by the adults in our community sends a powerful, genuinely enthusiastic message about the infectious thrill of reading. On behalf of Harker’s voracious readers, I am honored to accept this award.”

Congrats, Ms. Vaughan! Go Reading Eagles!