Port Arthur Rotary and Motiva Gift Dictionaries and a Museum Experience

Port Arthur Rotary and Motiva Gift Dictionaries and a Museum Experience

In Port Arthur, Texas, third grade students are getting more than just definitions — they’re getting inspired.

The Rotary Club of Port Arthur teamed up with Motiva Enterprises, one of the nation’s largest oil refineries, to donate personal dictionaries to third graders across Port Arthur and nearby communities. As part of this year’s initiative, students at Bob Hope Elementary School not only received their own dictionaries but were also treated to an enriching tour of the Museum of the Gulf Coast.

Rotarian Jesus Acosta, pictured with the students, shared that the project is one of the most anticipated annual efforts by the club. “We’re proud to give these students a tool that empowers them to grow their vocabulary, reading skills, and academic confidence,” he said.

Since partnering with The Dictionary Project in 2004, the Rotary Club of Port Arthur has distributed over 15,500 dictionaries to local third graders. These books are more than just reference materials — they include maps, U.S. history facts, and even the American Sign Language alphabet, giving students a multi-dimensional learning experience.

With the added museum visit, students connected the dots between language, literacy, and local heritage — making it a day they won’t soon forget.