Miss USA to Grand Marshall Read-In Parade

Morgan Romano, Miss USA.

Miss USA Morgan Romano will help the South Carolina State University drum line lead a parade of students and teachers from the South Carolina State Library to the State House for the Read-In celebration on April 20, 2023. Romano has a degree in chemical engineering from the University of South Carolina. She promotes STEM education with her "Outside the Box" program, which provides science kits to classrooms and libraries. 

The program at the State House emphasizes reading's impact, making South Carolina legislators aware of its importance. Romano will join District 54 Representative Pat Henegan, City of Columbia Poet Laureate Jennifer Bartell Boykin, and Cocky's Reading Express for the reading celebration. After the ceremony, students will enjoy a picnic lunch on the State House grounds. 

So, please mark your calendar, register to join us in Columbia, and get your students pumped up about being part of a literacy movement. If traveling is not an option, plan to join the live stream on readsc.org and social media. Follow the hashtag #SCReadIn2023. There are plenty of ways to get involved; don't miss it!

Upcoming Event

Len Lawson phot and the cover of his book, New Names for Stars.

Speaker at the Center Presents Len Lawson, Poet and Author

June 16, 2026, 6:00 PM

Please join us for our next Speaker at the Center talk on June 16th at 6:00 for our talk with Len Lawson, Poet and Author of New Names for Stars, accompanied by Miho Kinnas and Kathleen Nalley. Len Lawson is the winner of the Lit Fox Award (Lit Fox Books, 2026). He will be joined by Japanese poet Miho Kinnas and author Kathleen Nalley in reading selections from his newest release.