Ohio State student to receive award for dedication to literacy

Jenel Strahine, an Ohio State junior majoring in early childhood development and education, will receive an award for her dedication to improving literacy in Columbus. Senator Mike DeWine will present the award.

First Book, an organization that gives new books to children from low-income families, will present the Reading Hero Award to Strahine at 10 a.m. Friday (8/8) in the Wittmann Company warehouse, 6311 Busch Blvd.

Strahine, from North Olmsted, Ohio, has logged more than 490 hours working with Jumpstart Columbus, a program of the College of Human Ecology that helps preschool children build literacy and other school readiness skills. She tutored at North Side Child and Family Development Center, where she worked with a four-year-old reluctant reader who is now enjoying books and reading.

During the school year, Strahine and the 39 other Ohio State students in Jumpstart tutored children for a total of 14,211 hours.

First Book will present 400 books to the North Side Child and Family Development Center.

WHAT: Senator Mike DeWine will present an award to Jenel Strahine, an Ohio State junior majoring in early childhood development and education.

WHEN: 10 a.m. Friday (8/8)

WHERE: Wittmann Company warehouse, 6311 Busch Blvd.

WHY: To recognize Strahine’s contribution to improving literacy in Columbus.

Photo opportunity: Ohio State junior Jenel Strahine receiving the award from Senator Mike DeWine before a pyramid of cartons of books to be given away to children in Ohio. After the ceremony, a human chain will be created to load cartons into program staff’s cars for give away.