The Clanton Lions Club did its part to promote literacy by inviting 10-year-old Della Johnson as the guest speaker during its meeting on Dec. 2.

Johnson lives in Alabaster and won first place among third graders in the 2016 Alabama Public Television Young Writers Contest with a story titled “I and E Learn a Lesson.”

According to Tommy Patterson, Johnson’s grandfather and a Clanton Lions Club member, the story centered on the letters “I” and “E” walking to school and discussing who should come first.

Johnson was awarded a laptop and a $100 gift card to Books-A-Million for winning the competition.

“She is a devout Christian and calls herself an artist,” Patterson said. “She has a list of about 10 things that she wants to be when she grows up, including a scientist and astronaut.”

Lions Club President Jason Griffin heard about Johnson’s accomplishments and invited her to share her story during a meeting.

Johnson spoke of her experience and read the story aloud to everyone in attendance.

“She has always had a drive and love of learning, and she probably spoke better than half of the adults that were there,” Patterson chuckled. “Being able to read well has helped her accomplish the things that she has.”

Lions Club International has always focused on improving literacy, and Johnson was the first speaker to promote its importance at the local level.

“We have plans to follow their lead,” Patterson said.