Mt. Vernon High School English teacher Jennifer Leavell recently received a $2,500 grant from Forum Bank to purchase high-interest books for her students. From left, students Pacha Dalton, Lydia Carrell, Brianna Page and Madison Foley celebrate with the books. (Submitted photos)

Leavell used the money from the grant to purchase 210 books, mostly novels, and a few nonfiction books for her classroom.