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“Bella,” as she’s known around the club, is a kind, polite, and friendly 3rd grader who brings warmth and creativity to the Ben Sanford Boys & Girls Club. Whether she’s building with Legos, cheering for the Scottsboro peewee football team, or helping younger members adjust to the club environment, Bella shows compassion and leadership beyond her years.

What makes Bella’s story so special is how far she’s come in her reading journey. For a long time, reading didn’t come easily. Bella was reading well below grade level and often shied away from reading aloud, especially in group settings. She lacked confidence and would avoid the spotlight during reading time.

But everything began to change thanks to the encouragement and support of the staff at the club—and a spark of determination in Bella. She started receiving extra help at school, at home, and from the team at the club. Her mom helped her get her first library card, and together they made regular visits to the library to explore new books.

As National Reading Month kicked off in March, the club set a collective goal to read 260 books. Not only did Bella join in, but she also jumped to the front of the pack. She’s now leading the challenge with the most books read, and she's excited to show staff each day where she’s at in her current story. Her confidence has soared—she no longer hides during reading time. In fact, she’s often the first to raise her hand to volunteer.

One moment that stood out was when a younger member was struggling to read aloud. Bella leaned over and gently helped her sound out the words until the page was finished. It was a quiet act of kindness, but it showed just how far Bella has come—not just as a reader, but as a leader and a mentor to others.

This experience has been a powerful reminder that every child learns differently and deserves access to the right tools and support. With persistence, encouragement, and resources like those provided by Mrs. Angie Brockman, kids like Bella can overcome early challenges and build a lifelong love of learning. Bella’s transformation proves that confidence isn’t just taught—it’s built through small victories, one book at a time.