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ib americas
IB Americas
Student Achievement
A senior in the IB Diploma Programme at Pensacola High
School in Pensacola, Florida, Mary-Grace Reeves mentors
young girls, teaching them the importance of history and
community service – through the power of books.
In August 2008, Mary-Grace formed a book club at her
local library based on the American Girl book series. The
idea sprouted from disaster and keen awareness from a
then-younger Mary-Grace. Hurricane Ivan decimated
the Pensacola area in September 2004, leaving the
library, one of the few remaining buildings, as a
shining beacon amid ruin and broken spirits.
Fast-forward four years. Mary-Grace was volunteering
for the library when it occurred to her that the recently
published books didn’t do enough in motivating kids
to give back to their community. So she proposed a
book club, which was dismissed over concerns of
money and manpower. “Then I said four words I’d
never forget: ‘I would do it’,” Mary-Grace said.
At that point, Mary-Grace signed up for a long-term
commitment, which has gained notoriety among
young girls, parents and associations. The girls, in
particular – some of whom travel from other states –
are spellbound by the books and their messages. On
each occasion Mary-Grace discusses the book assigned
at the previous meeting, contextualizing the material
historically and connecting it to the community.
For the ninth anniversary of the 9/11 tragedy the group
made a chain of remembrance that was sent to
Washington, DC. In July, the book’s protagonist was
from Hawaii and the story was how she helped save
seals. For the meeting, a marine biologist from the
University of Florida came in and spoke about her
experience working with sea turtles, empowering the
girls to save local endangered species. Next month,
Mary-Grace will teach Russian words to those in
attendance.
For such a unique and outstanding program, the merit
received along the way is justified. Recently, Mary-
Grace received first-team honors on Parade magazine’s
330 | ib world schools yearbook 2012
All America High School Service Team education
division. She was also invited by the Department of
Defense to speak at its cultural diversity day, where she
spoke to over 1500 service men and women about the
importance of giving back to the community. “By the
valiant way they’re serving our community, they will
make such a large difference in the world,” she said.
Ask Mary-Grace if she will outgrow the book club and
she will say no. She plans to take the club to college
next year, as she believes students will benefit – maybe
just like the elementary school girls who currently
attend the meetings. In the future she hopes to study
medicine, but for now Mary-Grace will continue to take
from her IB education and teach those same lessons to
girls who look up to her.
“Being in the IB programme has educated me to have
a global understanding – it is an international
education because it encourages you to give back to
your own community,” Mary-Grace said.