Forty young authors read from their published works, autographed copies of their books and celebrated their accomplishments with family and friends at Porterdale Elementary School.
Students in Sabrina Pruitt’s fourth-grade class each wrote and illustrated books, which were published through Student Treasures Publishing. Last week, they were given the red carpet treatment, read excerpts from their books, and were honored at a reception and book-signing event.
Credit: Alice Queen
Credit: Alice Queen
Pruitt opened the event by thanking teachers, staff and support personnel who helped the students reach their goal of becoming published authors.
“Your collective efforts have transformed mere ideas into tangible works of art,” she said.
Pruitt acknowledged that the publication process was no easy feat.
“The process of crafting a book is undeniably tedious, but it is the people in our lives who provide the fuel to persevere,” she said.
“These books are not merely about individuals or their experiences; they represent the profound impact of story-telling. They serve as vessels connecting us, fostering understanding and bridging the gaps that divide us. Whether you choose to immerse yourself in the narratives alone or engage in discussions with others, my fervent hope is that these stories ignite conversations and forge connections that transcend boundaries for, ultimately, that is the essence of literature — to offer glimpses into worlds unknown and experiences unexplored.”
Superintendent of Schools Dr. Duke Bradley III praised students and their families, as well as school personnel.
Credit: Alice Queen
Credit: Alice Queen
“I want us to be clear about what we witnessed this morning,” he said. “We saw young people stand before us, articulate words that they wrote, deliver them off the top of their heads, words and thoughts that they conceived and delivered them to you with boldness and clarity … this is testing season, but a test does not measure what we saw today. Our students are more than test scores. And if our students are more than test scores, their teachers are more than test scores as well.”
Credit: The Citizens
Credit: The Citizens
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