MM is an incentive-based reading achievement program with more than 1,200 students at three Fort Worth ISD elementary schools. The program rewards students for reaching each of “Maven the Raven’s Milestones:” Ascent, Afterburner, Approach and Call Sign Maven. Each milestone represents a specific number of points that the students earn by reading books and passing online quizzes.

Hernandez met with fourth and fifth graders at Cesar Chavez, Washington Heights, and Van-Zandt Guinn elementary schools in Fort Worth. He gave an overview of the different geographic regions of Texas and introduced the students to state parks he recently visited, including Daingerfield State Park located in the Pineywoods region of East Texas and Sea Rim State Park located along the Gulf Coast.

Hernandez explained that Texas is located in the middle of an important migration route known as the “Central Flyway,” which is why it has the highest diversity of birds than any other state. He also showed the students different pictures of wildlife he encountered while camping: hawks, woodpeckers, shorebirds, armadillos, snakes and even alligators.

“My previous presentations have focused on international trips to different countries, but I wanted this one to be all about Texas. I wanted the students to know what they have right here in their own home state. Texas has some amazing locations if you are adventurous enough to leave the city and go explore.”