Books to Break Barriers

As part of the Touching Heart Leadership Program, student leader Thiago Hardy turned an idea into meaningful impact through his project, Books to Break Barriers.

In May of 2026, Thiago collected and delivered more than 300 books to students and families at Tuscarora Elementary School during the school’s Literacy Night event. Throughout the project, he connected with schools, coordinated donations, and worked to make sure books reached students who would truly benefit from them.

One of the most rewarding parts of the experience was seeing students excited to take books home and enjoy reading.

The impact of Thiago’s project continues to grow. He has now been invited to speak at Tuscarora Elementary’s upcoming Character Recognition Assembly about leadership, resilience, and taking initiative.

“This experience taught me a lot about leadership, communication, persistence, and turning an idea into something real,” Thiago shared.

We are incredibly proud of Thiago for leading with heart and using his passion for reading to make a difference in his community.