top of page
Search

NEA’s Read Across America, biggest reading celebration in the country, comes to Langston Hughes Middle School

  • Writer: The Reston Letter Staff
    The Reston Letter Staff
  • Feb 27
  • 2 min read

Updated: Mar 1




For more than 25 years, NEA’s Read Across America has been encouraging people to crack open a book and read. The year-round literacy program is not just about turning pages—it is about opening minds. This year, the biggest reading celebration in the country goes to Langston Hughes Middle School in Reston, Va.


This year’s national, signature Read Across America event features award-winning author Kwame Alexander, a former Reston resident, and jazz bassist Amy Shook as they bring the acclaimed book, The Crossover, to life in a dynamic jazz performance on Sunday, March 2, Read Across America Day. Langston Hughes students will feel the rhythm and the beat of twin brothers navigating love, loyalty, and family on and off the basketball court in a whole new way. Students will share their artistic, dramatic, musical, and athletic talents in an unforgettable afternoon with invited students, families, educators, and esteemed guests.


Mr. Alexander has served as NPR poet in residence and in his capacity as poet he will lead an exercise that will involve collaboration with Langston Hughes students and produce a poem in real time!


In addition, students will share their artistic, dramatic, musical and athletic talents to celebrate NEA's Read Across America. In addition to a vocal performance by the school chorus, the Langston Hughes Chamber Orchestra will perform Lift Every Voice and Sing and Green Onions while the Jazz Band is offering up Basie-Cally the Blues. Drama and creative writing students who have written their own poems will perform and dramatically interpret their works. A demonstration game of 3x3 basketball will showcase student athletes while the school Spirit Squad will serve as "cheer readers," generating excitement for story and song.


What: NEA’s Read Across America Day

When: Sunday, March 2, from 2:45 to 4:15 p.m. EST

Who: NEA President Becky Pringle


Langston Hughes students, parents, and educators

Kwame Alexander, author of the Crossover

Amy Shook, acclaimed jazz bassist

Deborah Bond, singer, president, the Recording Academy/Grammys, DC Chapter

Brian Mitchell, Sportscaster

DJ Flexx WPGC

G-Wiz, the Washington Wizards mascot


Where: Langston Hughes MS, 11401 Ridge Heights Rd, Reston, Va., 20191


Comments

bottom of page