Running toward Literacy: Gracie Nealon '27 Empowers Young Readers
January 13, 2026
For Gracie Nealon ’27, a freshman service project at Foster Elementary was supposed to be a simple introduction to community work. But as a teacher’s aide, Nealon found something more profound: a deep connection with her students and a clear, pressing need for resources. When one young girl gifted her a drawing and a bracelet to say thank you, Nealon knew her time in the classroom couldn’t end with the school bell.
That token of gratitude sparked Nealon to create Let’s Book It, a non-profit organization dedicated to closing the literacy gap for local elementary students.
“I saw how excited the kids were just to have us there,” Nealon said. “But I also recognized that their reading skills weren’t where they needed to be. They needed more books in their hands and someone to show them that reading can be a truly fun, enriching experience.”
To turn her vision into a reality, Nealon demonstrated a level of professional resolve well beyond her years. She partnered with a local attorney who provided pro bono legal services to help her incorporate and navigate the complexities of securing 501(c)(3) status.
The resulting organization is a beautiful reflection of Nealon’s own life, weaving together her love for distance running and her advocacy for education. Through Let’s Book It, Nealon turns miles into milestones. She secures sponsorships for 5K and long-distance races, with 100% of the donations used to purchase award-winning books in both Spanish and English.
The focus remains on second-grade students—a pivotal year where educators say literacy intervention has the most lasting impact. To date, Nealon’s efforts have raised nearly $8,000, providing books and resources to 122 students at Foster Elementary.
The mission has since become an ESD community affair. Nealon has recruited cross-country teammates and friends to join her on the pavement and in the classroom. This past holiday season, the group hosted a festive reading event, filling the room with new books, coloring activities, and the simple joy of a shared story.
While Nealon is already looking toward the future—with dreams of hosting her own 5K and expanding to other schools—her focus remains on the individual children, much like the girl who gave her that first bracelet. For this student-athlete, the race for literacy is a marathon, not a sprint, and she is just hitting her stride.
