Legacy of kindness and contribution
Seniors Ava Card, Nicole Fernandez, and Reilly Misiewicz from Scotia-Glenville High’s Civics Capstone class recently brought smiles to young faces by organizing a free book fair at Sacandaga Elementary School. Their project, part of the Civics Capstone curriculum, aimed to make reading accessible to all students, regardless of financial circumstances.
The idea for the book fair was born out of a desire to fill a gap in the school community. When the students learned that the Scholastic Book Fair would not be held at the high school this year, they decided to create their own event—one that would ensure every child could leave with a book, free of charge.
The book fair was held as a half-day event, with every class at Sacandaga Elementary visiting for at least 20 minutes. Upon arrival, students were given two vouchers to “purchase” books, which served as their currency for the event. The fair featured over 800 donated books, organized by genre to make browsing easy and fun. Students could also participate in bookmark-making stations and enter raffles for brand-new book sets.
The raffle was a highlight of the event, with 10 complete book sets donated by the Scotia Rotary and Mrs. Gordon up for grabs. Each student received two raffle tickets, adding an extra layer of excitement to the day.
The success of the book fair was made possible by the students’ extensive outreach efforts. Nicole, Ava, and Reilly sent emails to administrators at the high school, middle school, and elementary school, which were followed by ParentSquare messages asking families to donate new or gently-used books. The response was overwhelming, with donations pouring in from staff, families, and even the Voorheesville Public Library.
The event received glowing praise from both students and teachers at Sacandaga Elementary. Many teachers expressed their hope that the book fair would become an annual tradition.
As part of the Civics Capstone class, Nicole, Ava, and Reilly earned the New York State Seal of Civic Readiness for their efforts, along with completing research papers and government lessons. Their teacher, Conor Quinn, commended their dedication, saying, “This project is a perfect example of how students can use their creativity to address real needs in their community.”
The free book fair was more than just an event—it was a celebration of literacy, community, and the power of giving. Thanks to Nicole, Ava, and Reilly, hundreds of Sacandaga students now have new books to enjoy, and the seniors have left behind a legacy of kindness and service.
