Pirate Nation Unites for Literacy in One Million Books Giveaway

DES faculty, PCHS students, and DES students

Pass Christian’s youngest Pirates started their week with an extra dose of joy as high school students made a special visit to the elementary campus to share the gift of reading. On December 2,  2025, first graders at DeLisle Elementary School welcomed members of the PCHS Chick-fil-A Leadership Academy, Child Development classes, and FCCLA, who arrived with bright smiles, handmade gifts, and bags filled with brand-new books.

The visit was part of the national Chick-fil-A and Britannica One Million Books Giveaway—an initiative dedicated to placing quality literature in the hands of early readers. For DES first graders,  the impact was immediate. With eager anticipation, each child received a bag filled with five books meant to spark imagination and help build personal home libraries. Tucked inside each bag was  something uniquely meaningful: a handwritten note of encouragement crafted by a high school student and a custom-designed bookmark made just for that child.

High school participants spent the days leading up to the visit preparing their gifts with care, taking time to write uplifting messages and personalize each bookmark. For many of them, the  highlight of the event was watching the first graders’ eyes light up as they discovered what was inside their bags.

Once books were distributed, students settled in for one of the most memorable parts of the experience—shared reading time. High school mentors paired up with first graders, spreading out  across classrooms and hallways to read stories aloud, discuss favorite characters, and celebrate the joy of getting lost in a good book. The moments felt personal and heartfelt, as older students  guided younger ones through pages filled with adventure, animals, and imagination, creating unforgettable bonds through the wonder of reading.

The visit wasn’t only about books. The beloved Chick-fil-A Cow made a surprise appearance, sending waves of laughter and excitement through the building. Students enjoyed posing for photos,  giving high-fives, and celebrating the moment with a cookie treat—an extra surprise donated by Gulfport Chick-fil-A.

The collaboration between PCHS and DES showcased the power of community, mentorship, and literacy. By bringing students of different ages together, the event not only supported reading  development but also created memories that both groups will carry with them. As the first graders left school that afternoon, their new books in hand and their hearts full, one thing was clear: the  love of reading had grown a little stronger, thanks to the generosity, leadership, and Pirate pride shared across campuses.