Contact Information:
916 Ink
Allison Stelly, Director of Development
Cell: (512) 705-8512
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MISS SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY 20-21 PARTNERS WITH SACRAMENTO NONPROFIT 916 INK
Current Titleholder Emily Grimmius Uses Her Crown to Champion Youth Literacy
[SACRAMENTO, CA, January 13, 2021] – Emily Grimmius, the current Miss San Joaquin County 2020-2021, has selected Sacramento creative writing and youth literacy organization 916 Ink as her primary community partner to work with while she represents the region.
"As Miss San Joaquin County, I believe our region's students deserve more equitable literacy education, and I encourage all those I meet to believe in themselves. I chose to partner with 916 Ink because I believe in their core values of justice and empowerment through literacy. The written word is a powerful thing; our students can do great things when they have the skills to harness that power," said Grimmius.
Grimmius will make special appearances at 916 Ink virtual and in-person events, will guest star on an upcoming episode of 916 Ink's video program "Ink TV," and will create her own content on social media and elsewhere to promote 916 Ink's programs, elevate youth voices, and advocate for literacy.
"As a child, I had two poems published in national student anthology work. One never tires of the excitement felt when your work is published, at 12 or 25. I'm proud and honored to partner with 916 Ink to give our region's children access to literary opportunities like the ones I received. If you can read, you can do anything," said Grimmius.
916 Ink's Director of Development Allison Stelly is excited about the visibility that Grimmius's title can bring to the organization. "Collaborating with the reigning Miss San Joaquin County is an excellent opportunity to spotlight our work with new audiences," Stelly said. "And I'm sure the children will be thrilled to see Grimmius in her crown and sash! It's such a special moment for them."
916 Ink is Sacramento’s arts-based literacy nonprofit that provides creative writing workshops and reading tutoring for Sacramento area youth, elementary through high school. Since 2010, 916 Ink has transformed over 4,000 young people in the greater Sacramento region into published authors. 916 Ink's primary focus has historically been on creative writing workshops. However, in 2020 the organization launched "Read On!", an online reading tutoring program, to help to fill a gap in intensive reading tutoring in Sacramento.
Emily Grimmius, Miss San Joaquin County 2020-2021 represents Sacramento, San Joaquin, and four additional counties within the Miss California and Miss America Organizations. Emily is a graduate of the University of Washington with a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science, and a minor in Law, Societies, and Justice. Emily credits her literacy skills as the foundation for the scholarship applications allowing her to pursue higher education. Emily was recently accepted into law school, and recognizes that her dreams are possible because of reading and writing--but not just her's. Emily has created the Read Dream Succeed™ Initiative designed to provide further literacy support and advocacy to California's students, while preparing students to pursue their ambitions.
Emily Grimmius will represent our region in pursuit of the Miss California crown in 2021.
Grimmius and a member of the 916 Ink staff are available for interviews about how COVID-19 is impacting youth literacy and how 916 Ink can help. Please contact Allison Stelly at 916 Ink (allison@916ink.org) to schedule.
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