Granger Delivery Day

On May 24th, 2017, My Story Matters had the chance to deliver personal customized storybooks to the children at Granger Elementary.  

With shining eyes, forty-two kids look up to their principal, Ms. Amber Clayton, as she finally presents their long-awaited My Story Matters books. Their anticipation grows with every word she says.

“What do we always say here at Granger? We are a Granger…”

“Elementary!” the kids excitedly, collectively throw out their best guess.

“Yes, we are Granger Elementary School, but we are also a Granger family.”

Conviction colors her words. About half an hour ago, before the kids gathered here, she peeked into one of their books. She only got a few pages in before tears filled her eyes.

Later, explaining her reaction, Amber says, “Family is such a big word. So anytime I have a connection to their own family, their own experience…the intimacy of their lives, and their story about family, it’s just incredibly touching.”

These 5th and 6th-graders at Granger Elementary collectively bring so many varied cultures, and religions, and years of life experiences to Granger. Those little, shining eyes now looking up at Principal ___ have seen every corner of the world. Most emigrated from different countries. Most become bilingual at a very young age. Most will receive more opportunities for formal education than the generations who preceded them did. All became published authors by sharing a sliver of their layered, unique, wonderful stories with My Story Matters.

Amber shares, “It’s an honor to work with folks like you because it gives them the opportunity to be wholly them…To me it’s all about that families and kids know that what they come with is equally as accepted and honored as what we’re going to give them.”

My Story Matters hopes to continue helping Granger Elementary School students accept and honor their own stories as well as their classmates’ stories.

Also, thank you to our wonderful intern Angela Cava for sharing this amazing experience with us!