As Vice President JD Vance delivered the U.S. Air Force Academy’s 2026 commencement address amid pomp, circumstance and tens of thousands of people, Second Lady Usha Vance prepared to take a quieter stage in Colorado Springs, before an audience of dozens who mostly sat, squirmed and occasionally sprawled on the floor. 

Dressed down in a Team USA sweatshirt, Vance spent part of her morning Thursday reading aloud to about 50 schoolchildren gathered in the welcome center rotunda of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Training Center. 

The event was part of a nationwide tour promoting Vance’s Summer Reading Challenge, now in its second year.  

“Every book you open is an adventure – whether you are exploring new places, meeting new characters, or learning something new,” read a statement from The White House announcing the program, which encourages readers in kindergarten through 8th grade to read 12 books of their choosing between June 1 and Sept. 4.

Those who complete the summer reading assignment and submit their progress receive a personalized certificate and small prizes, including an America-250th themed bookmark. They’re also entered into a raffle for a chance to win a trip to Washington, D.C., and a visit to the White House.

As part of the campaign, Vance is teaming up with locally based organizations and celebrities to encourage young readers in each community she visits to crack a page, and expand their skills and their worlds.

Tag-teaming with the second lady for Thursday’s reading of “If You Can Dream It, Be It,” by Marine Corps captain and Team USA bobsled pilot Riley Tejcek, was world champion freestyle wrestler and two-time Olympic medalist Adeline Gray.

Tejcek’s illustrated children’s book tells the true story of the inspirational origins behind the career of its author, who set out to help teach early readers about their limitless potential and the possibilities for the future.

After the reading, Vance, who is pregnant with the family’s fourth child, a baby boy due in July, opened up the floor to questions.

A few were about books and reading. A few were not. 

“Can you teach me about politics?” asked one young attendee.

The question evoked a smile from Vance, who said she didn’t think she was the “best person” to teach about politics. 

She went on to advise a deeper investigation of community, and the many ways one might be able to serve and get involved.

“Learn where you live, who lives there, what it means to become the best place it can be,” she said. 

Siena Cianciolo’s son, Waylon, is too young to read, but the written word is nonetheless an important part of his life.

“We read books every night to Waylon and he loves to turn the pages. Storytime is very important for his development … and he is six months old today, so this is what we’re doing to celebrate,” said Cianciolo, as she and her son awaited the arrival of the second lady, and a story session for the memory books.

“I kept telling him all morning about who was going to be reading to him,” Cianciolo said. “And he smiled every time.” 

For more information and to sign up for the Summer Reading Challenge, visit whitehouse.gov/read/