On Feb. 26 and 28, students in the Young Adult Literature elective class traveled to Rosa Lee Carter Elementary School to read to first and second graders. Students received volunteer hours while helping elementary students improve skills in reading, establishing lasting bonds in the process. The YA Literature class sent 14 students to Rosa Lee who were paired up with one to two elementary students who chose a variety of children’s books to read. 

English teacher Shelby Whittington teaches YA Literature and found the event to be a success; in fact, she hopes to do it again next month. “Since  the class is revolved around reading, we really wanted to spread that kind of love for reading and instill it early with the elementary school kids, so it was really fun,” Whittington said. “ It’s just extra hours for [students] to make sure that they are contributing to the community and doing something sweet for the elementary since we’re so close.”

The books that the elementary students chose ranged from workbooks with different short stories about chickens and cooking to “Captain Underpants” and “All the Places You’ll Go.” The YA Literature class students enjoyed reading to the elementary students as they started to warm up and form connections. Senior Mylo Sama went on the trip and found joy through interactions with the elementary students. “[My favorite part] was getting to talk to them, knowing what they’re saying,” Sama said. “It felt like they were looking up to me, and then sometimes they even took turns because they wanted to read.”

Senior Jiya Chadha especially loved being a role model for the younger students. “I love working with kids, and going there made me realize how much I missed it,” Chada said. “My favorite part is definitely not just reading to the kids but talking to them and creating a relationship with them.” 

Not only did relations form, but students of the Young Adult Literature Class helped foster important skills in elementary students that are essential to their future. They helped students in reading big words and sharpened skills that they were already developing. “We helped them read and advance their reading skills, because as much as it’s a small kids book, they’re going to grow up to read older books,” Sama said.” 

Whittington hoped that her high school students would also gain benefits through their volunteering, having a chance for them to really be involved in stories and storytelling.

To continue to build the relationship with the Rosa Lee students, the YA Literature class is writing them letters to start a pen pal program and is planning on reading to the Rosa Lee students in the foreseeable future. “ One of the big things I want to do is an outside community service aspect of the elective, continuing to make those outreaches in reading wherever we can,” Whittington said. “So elementary school is a really great place to start.”