Amityville Students Participate in Interactive Reading Event

Optimum Community, in partnership with Disney Book Group and ESPN, brought a fun-filled reading event to Park Avenue Memorial Elementary School in Amityville. New York State Senator Michael Venditto attended and participated in the event, speaking to the students about the importance of literacy and creativity. The event featured popular Disney Authors Michael Siglain and Tomas Palacios. The authors discussed what goes into writing a book, and read passages from their titles Captain America: The Tomorrow Army and Guardians of the Galaxy. Students then participated in a Q&A with both authors, asking questions such as what inspired them to write, who their favorite superhero is and what technology they use when they write. After the Q&A, the authors engaged the students in an interactive story writing exercise, which allowed the audience of over 200 5th grade students to suggest their ideas into what would be a fun MARVEL comic book story. Students received copies of the books at the conclusion of the event.

“A key to reading success for children is making their experience entertaining and enjoyable. By partnering with our local schools, we can create programs, like this one, that stress the importance of reading and literacy. It also gives our children, the next generation of Long Islanders, the opportunity to interact with authors and encourages discussions and creative thinking amongst themselves,” said New York State Senator Michael Venditto, (R, C, I- Massapequa).