A Book for Every Kindergartener: An Eagle Scout’s mission to spread the love of reading

A local Eagle Scout is spreading a love for reading among Kindergarteners, one book at a time.

Carter Shultz, a freshman at Grand Island Senior High, set a big goal for his Eagle Scout project – his mind was set on it, because he understands the importance of books. 

He set out to put a brand new book in the hands of every new Kindergartener at Grand Island Public Schools, impacting about 800 students.

Thinking of his own family and journey, Carter knows the impact a book can have. With both of his parents being educators and having a younger sister, he saw firsthand the importance of a positive early-school experience. 

“[Receiving a book] would start off the school year in a positive way, but for these Kindergarteners, it’s also building a foundation for their education later on in life,” Carter said. “I also wanted to do this project because I wanted to help improve literacy rates,” he added.

Carter drew on his own struggles with reading as a child. 

“As a kid, I had problems reading and it wasn’t my favorite thing to do,” he explained. “But I kept at it, reading more and more…now I’m reading different book series.”

This experience gave him a unique perspective and a passion for helping other kids discover the joy of books.

"It’s important to have a good education and to start your education early as a child," Carter shared. "But it's also about the fun of getting a book and going back to school and being like, 'Look at this cool book I have!' It's making you want to come back because you have something to look forward to."

While it would have been easier to focus on a few schools, Carter's vision was larger. He felt that every child, regardless of which school they attend, deserves the same opportunity to get excited about reading. 

To accomplish this goal, Carter's project required generous donors. He spent more than 40 hours visiting local businesses, going to multiple places around town to pitch his idea. Carter faced some rejection, but he learned to take it in stride, which was also a great learning experience for him. "Most people loved the project," he said, noting that even those who couldn’t donate supported his cause.

Once he secured funds and ordered books, Carter went to Kindergarten open houses across the district, personally handing out over 810 books to eager Kindergartners. He offered both English and Spanish options to ensure every student had a book they could enjoy.

"It was nice seeing every kid's face smiling. So many kids lit up," Carter shared of his favorite part.

The positive impact of the project didn’t end there. After the books were distributed, Carter received a poster and dozens of drawings and thank you letters from the students. He was moved that the kids took the time to show their appreciation, making the entire project even more rewarding.

Completing this project was a major step in Carter's journey to becoming an Eagle Scout, an honor he has been working toward since he was in Kindergarten. Scouting is a part of who he is, and he has dedicated a lot of time and energy to it.

Earning the rank of Eagle Scout is a challenging accomplishment, and one that Carter should be proud of. 

“Scouting is just something that since it's been such a long part of me, completing my Eagle Scout would add the last piece to the puzzle," Carter said.

By providing books for every kindergartner in the district, Carter's project did more than just fulfill a requirement; it created a legacy of kindness and hopefully a love for reading that will continue to grow.

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