Tucson-based nonprofit Literacy Connects said its recent Get Connected event at the Tucson Convention Center ballroom drew more than 650 attendees and raised more than $132,000 for its programming.

At the event, Betty Stauffer, executive director of Literacy Connects, discussed the Reading Seed Kinder Project in which every kindergarten student at Keeling Elementary school had improved test scores for an average of 220 percent  improvement in reading of full words. The students also became more engaged in classroom activities. Keeling Elementary kindergarten teacher Betty Kaye Atwell, shared first-hand results of the innovative program in a touching speech.

Stories that Soar! took the stage with a short production by a second-grade student from DeGrazia Elementary. The piece covered what Literacy Connects is all about — connecting people of all ages to opportunities presented through literacy and creative expression.

English Language Learning Acquisition for Adults student ambassador Ana Alshouse, a mother of three and new citizen, shared her story of struggle and perseverance. Literacy has given her the key to her future career as she studies toward becoming a registered nurse.