Gov. Kay Ivey on Wednesday encouraged children to set goals, work hard, and participate in her Summer Reading Challenge while visiting the summer program at the Coleman-Robertson Center in Andalusia on Wednesday.

The program, started in about 1973 by Coach Richard Robertson, provides meals and organized activities during the summer months. Current program director Rose White-Parker invited Gov. Ivey to speak as part of her Community Connections program, which invites members of the community from all walks of life to share career stories and ideas with students.

Gov. Ivey told the students that she once was also a small-town girl who "sat at a small desk with big dreams."

She said as a youngster, she had decided to work one summer on her father's cattle farm. When she became frustrated with the challenges of the work and was considering quitting, her father gave her some advice.

"He said, 'Kay, anything worth doing is worth doing well,' " she recalled. "I marched back to the barn and got to work."

She also encouraged children to set goals.

Growing up, she said, she had a horse named Lightning.

"He was fast, too," she said.

She later got a dog, whom she named Thunder.

"I trained Thunder to ride Lightning," she said. "If you set goals - even unusual ones involving a dog and a horse, you can accomplish great things."

Governor Ivey said, "Strong students will lead to a stronger Alabama."

She also encouraged them to complete her Summer Reading Challenge, which challenges students to read a book and write a letter to Governor Ivey about their book.

"I'll be checking the mailbox, and I look forward to hearing from you."

All letters to Governor Ivey should be addressed and mailed to:

Governor Kay Ivey

Attn: Governor Ivey's Summer Reading Challenge

600 Dexter Avenue

Montgomery, AL 36130

Parents and educators also are encouraged to show Gov. Ivey what students are reading by using the hashtag #GKIsSummerReadingChallenge.

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