Laurielle Schwab

Running Springs, CA | 18

2016 Award Recipient

Laurielle Schwab’s philosophy has always been “healing begins with one, and in turn, affects many.” When funding cuts caused the collapse of the reading program at the elementary school she had attended, Laurielle set out to provide students with the same access to the reading resources and opportunities she had at their age. In October 2014, Laurielle founded Rim High Literature Club, an organization that pairs teenagers with children in primary school grades to foster reading comprehension and appreciation skills. Teen mentors work with students to build vocabulary, analyze literature, and explore poetry. Laurielle’s organization has thus far enriched the lives of more than 1,000 elementary school students, while engaging 50+ teen volunteers. Teachers report that the program has dramatically increased student engagement in reading and writing. Through fundraising and donations of 300 gently-used children’s books, the organization is now expanding to help more schools, with Laurielle’s ultimate goal being to see every elementary school in the nation partnered with a high school tutoring program.