“As I have grown older, I’ve begun to appreciate the library, resources, and librarians more, as they helped contribute to my success. The library has impacted my life. Not only does the library help students academically, but the library provides opportunities for students to be exposed to extracurricular activities. They provide classes, story time, computer training, volunteering opportunities, programs, movie, & game nights to all. ” Alizdair Ray, 2016
Alizdair is a 7th grade homeschool student who regularly visits the Hope Mills branch, Headquarters, Bordeaux, and West Regional libraries in Cumberland County.
Alizdair Honored by the Town of Hope Mills in 2016 & 2017 for Serving as a Student Library Ambassador!
More About Alizdair:
I’m a typical 12 year old, and I love keeping busy.
I’m currently on the U12 FSC FORCE UNITED travel team, and this is my second year with travel. I have played soccer since I was only 3 years old. We finished the season up on Mother’s Day and participated in the Wrangler McDonald soccer tournament in May.
4-H has been a part of my life since I was 6 yeas old in South Florida. I love my clubs and the public speaking competitions. The public speaking encouraged my interest in the home school speech and debate tournaments in which I have been participating for the past 3 years. This April at the final tournament, my partner JC & I, placed 4th out of 13 teams in the public forum debate on the topic of social media.
For one of my 4H clubs, I get to be a Junior dog handler at various NC dog shows.I started training and showed in my first dog show in March of 2015. It is not easy as it looks to go around a ring with a dog. Training is the big key and dedication to the sport.
Tennis has been a fun hobby for 3 years but I wanted to play competitive this year, so I participated in my first L6 tennis tournament on St.Patrick’s Day this year. I made the junior tennis team @ Methodist University for the summer.
My father and I, share a love of Star Trek, Star Wars, Deep Space Nine, Voyager,& Enterprise. I attended a collectibles show in April and met some Klingon fans there and had to get a photo with them.
We are also a football family, and we count down to preseason for college & the NFL. We are fans of the Ohio State Buckeyes & Carolina Panthers, and we try to see a few games live at the stadiums.
My father and I love to watch the Carolina Hurricanes hockey team.
Lastly, of all the things that I do, my parents instill that reading is the best reward, and the library is a big part of my reading.
Alizdair speaks at the Cumberland budget meeting:
North Carolina Library Advocacy 
He is a fantastic young man!
Way to go Alizdair! Your Mother & Father, are so proud of you!