February 26, 2026 – We were honored to welcome the 2025 Miss Missouri Courtney Rowe to McMillan Early Learning Center this morning! She spent time reading to our students and sharing her love for literacy. The book she chose was I Can Read with My Eyes Shut by Dr. Seuss, a playful, rhyming story that encourages children to read with their eyes open to explore, learn, and gain knowledge.

Early literacy matters. When children are read to at a young age, they build vocabulary, listening skills, imagination, and a lifelong connection to books. Those early experiences lay the foundation for future learning — and confidence.

As Miss Missouri travels the state, she promotes causes that focus on education, leadership, and empowering young people to reach their goals. We’re grateful she took time to visit our youngest learners and remind them that reading opens doors.

Thank you, Miss Missouri, for inspiring our Bulldogs to keep turning the page!