MSD book project exports hope
 | | (L to r) Massapequa High School students Kim De Cessare, Gabriella Ricciardi, Klaudia Gurga, Brian Heisinger, and Lindsay Walsh enjoyed working collaboratively on the "Books of Hope" project. |
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Drawing and Painting I art classes at Massapequa High School, along with students in the English Writing Lab are currently participating in the
Memory Project - Books of Hope. This unique, interdisciplinary, service-learning program allows students to use their creative and artistic talents to produce thoughtful, educational, and entertaining books for children who experience extreme challenges in their daily lives. In striving for a more compassionate society, Memory Project facilitators believe that helping young people learn about international, humanitarian issues will encourage them to grow into adults that are dedicated to working for positive change. Currently, the program is focused on children in Uganda and India who have been victimized by war and slavery. "It's cool that we can use our talents, and help other people," stated student Lacey Lohr. " I'm very proud to be a part of this project," added classmate Olivia Cabrere.
With the support of district Coordinating Chairperson of Art, Barbara Mims, art teachers Vickie Ahearn, Gale Domingo, and English teacher Carol Baskir, brought the program to Massapequa High School. Students and the community, specifically the Massapequa Chamber of Commerce, who will pay the cost of shipping the heartfelt gifts, have embraced the idea of raising awareness of the needs and rights of children around the world. Student Alex Gentry stated a sentiment that seemed to pre- vail during the collaboration that took place during the project: "It's a great opportunity to help these children and I'm glad to be involved in it."
 | | (L to r) Massapequa High School students Eric Wong, Matt McCormick, Kevin Baird, Joe Nojunas, along with more than 100 of their classmates, created artwork for books that the students are making for children in Uganda. |
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The project features differentiated learning, interdisciplinary connections, collaboration, and cooperation at their best. Art students started the project by developing illustrations that serve as the main idea and setting for each story, which gives a message of hope to those who read it. After meeting and collaborating with art students, those in the writing classes developed plot lines and story ideas based on each initial illustration. Upon completion of the stories, the incomplete books will be handed over to the art students, who will finish the job with additional illustrations, printing and binding. Students will have approximately twodozen original books, which they hope to have the opportunity to reproduce in color so they can send even more gifts to Uganda's children. Through the Memory Project, the students' books will be sent directly to shelters, to which Ugandan children walk 6-10 miles nightly, in search of safety and security. It is the hope of the students and teachers involved in this project that the books created will offer the Ugandan children joy, and help their imaginations run free as they read the books. Stated teacher Liz Sarant, "It's nice to see that teenagers are looking past themselves to help others and putting time and effort into these children's books."
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