On Wednesday, May 8th, Borough President James S. Oddo presented awards to this year’s “Readers Are Leaders” Exceptional Readers at the Bernikow JCC. BP Oddo was joined by author and magician Mike Lane, who performed a magic show and gave out awards to students who read books from his Magic Shop series.
“Readers are Leaders” challenged 4th grade classes in Staten Island’s public, parochial and private schools to read a minimum of six books at grade level or above during the five-week period of February 18th – March 25th. Students then submitted a report on their favorite book that they read during the period. Each school picked one Exceptional Reader, who received an award from the Borough President.
Since the program was started by then-Councilman Vito Fossella in 1996, 4th graders have read more than 660,000 books for the annual challenge.
“As I continue to benefit from books and reading, I carry on the mission of proselytizing to kids and adults alike about the fun, power, and importance of reading,” noted BP Oddo. “I’m grateful to continue the ‘Readers Are Leaders’ tradition that has helped foster Staten Island children’s love of reading for more than 20 years. I want to congratulate all of this year’s participants and hope they continue to read and enjoy learning.”
This year as a partner program and expansion of the successful Readers Are Leaders, Borough President Oddo challenged 1st graders with a “Readers Are Leaders Jr.” program. The first grade was challenged to read “Mikey and the Dragons” by NYT bestselling author and former Navy SEAL Jocko Willink, along with one book of their choice. Those who chose to participate received a certificate of recognition.
“Readers Are Leaders” is sponsored by CTV, Barnes and Noble, and the Staten Island Yankees.
A full list of winners is below:
Osbaldo Gutierrez, PS 1
Georgina Pradines, PS 3
Sarah Bahnasy, PS 4
Lily Helfman, PS 6
Alexandra E. Young, PS 8
Marc Haddad, PS 11
Engie Basouny, PS 16
Frank Grimaldi, PS 23
Amanda Howley, PS 26
Bryan Fu, PS 29
Emma Chiusano, PS 30
Natalie Kutrzuba, PS 32
Brooke Payson, PS 35
Juliet DeTeresa, PS 38
Amela Perovic, PS 39
Sienna Tornquist, PS 42
Zaina Mahmood, PS 50
Eva Li, PS 52
Kirolos Dimian, PS 53
Christopher Schafer, PS 55
Leah Valenti, PS 56
Camila Neri, PS 57
Jinan Mualla, PS 69
Amberly Espinosa, PS 80
Leandra Brown, PS 861
Sophia Turpin, Gateway Academy
Brandon Medina, Holy Rosary
Evia Lika, Notre Dame
Mackenzie Schaming, Our Lady of Good Counsel
Charley Errigo, Our Lady Help of Christians
Olivia Marie Hanratty, Our Lady Queen of Peace
Valentina Bianchi, Our Lady Star of the Sea
Ava Jichetti, Sacred Heart
Brianna Campbell, St. Adalbert
Christina Spagnola, St. Ann
Ronald Raiola, St. Charles
Ava Quigley, St. Christopher
Emma Burke, St. Clare
Gabriella Romanello, St. Dorothy Academy
Alivia Schifter, St. Joseph St. Thomas
Alexis Testaverde, St. Patrick
Bryanna Santiago Jack, St. Rita
Olivier Montas, St. Theresa
Magic Shop Readers
First Place: Stella Wilton, PS 56
Second Place: Brandon Medina, Holy Rosary
Third Place: Michael Bruno, PS 29, Isabella Cortes, St. Clare, and Alyssa Sheehy, St. Clare
Honorable Mention: Vincent Geller, PS 42, Amanda Howley, PS 26, and Jay Jay Luciano, St. Clare
“Readers are Leaders” challenged 4th grade classes in Staten Island’s public, parochial and private schools to read a minimum of six books at grade level or above during the five-week period of February 18th – March 25th. Students then submitted a report on their favorite book that they read during the period. Each school picked one Exceptional Reader, who received an award from the Borough President.
Since the program was started by then-Councilman Vito Fossella in 1996, 4th graders have read more than 660,000 books for the annual challenge.
“As I continue to benefit from books and reading, I carry on the mission of proselytizing to kids and adults alike about the fun, power, and importance of reading,” noted BP Oddo. “I’m grateful to continue the ‘Readers Are Leaders’ tradition that has helped foster Staten Island children’s love of reading for more than 20 years. I want to congratulate all of this year’s participants and hope they continue to read and enjoy learning.”
This year as a partner program and expansion of the successful Readers Are Leaders, Borough President Oddo challenged 1st graders with a “Readers Are Leaders Jr.” program. The first grade was challenged to read “Mikey and the Dragons” by NYT bestselling author and former Navy SEAL Jocko Willink, along with one book of their choice. Those who chose to participate received a certificate of recognition.
“Readers Are Leaders” is sponsored by CTV, Barnes and Noble, and the Staten Island Yankees.
A full list of winners is below:
Osbaldo Gutierrez, PS 1
Georgina Pradines, PS 3
Sarah Bahnasy, PS 4
Lily Helfman, PS 6
Alexandra E. Young, PS 8
Marc Haddad, PS 11
Engie Basouny, PS 16
Frank Grimaldi, PS 23
Amanda Howley, PS 26
Bryan Fu, PS 29
Emma Chiusano, PS 30
Natalie Kutrzuba, PS 32
Brooke Payson, PS 35
Juliet DeTeresa, PS 38
Amela Perovic, PS 39
Sienna Tornquist, PS 42
Zaina Mahmood, PS 50
Eva Li, PS 52
Kirolos Dimian, PS 53
Christopher Schafer, PS 55
Leah Valenti, PS 56
Camila Neri, PS 57
Jinan Mualla, PS 69
Amberly Espinosa, PS 80
Leandra Brown, PS 861
Sophia Turpin, Gateway Academy
Brandon Medina, Holy Rosary
Evia Lika, Notre Dame
Mackenzie Schaming, Our Lady of Good Counsel
Charley Errigo, Our Lady Help of Christians
Olivia Marie Hanratty, Our Lady Queen of Peace
Valentina Bianchi, Our Lady Star of the Sea
Ava Jichetti, Sacred Heart
Brianna Campbell, St. Adalbert
Christina Spagnola, St. Ann
Ronald Raiola, St. Charles
Ava Quigley, St. Christopher
Emma Burke, St. Clare
Gabriella Romanello, St. Dorothy Academy
Alivia Schifter, St. Joseph St. Thomas
Alexis Testaverde, St. Patrick
Bryanna Santiago Jack, St. Rita
Olivier Montas, St. Theresa
Magic Shop Readers
First Place: Stella Wilton, PS 56
Second Place: Brandon Medina, Holy Rosary
Third Place: Michael Bruno, PS 29, Isabella Cortes, St. Clare, and Alyssa Sheehy, St. Clare
Honorable Mention: Vincent Geller, PS 42, Amanda Howley, PS 26, and Jay Jay Luciano, St. Clare
