As students prepare for Christmas, Ms. Shery Kearney’s English classes became involved with another community of students through the donation of books. The elementary school students in Newark, New Jersey, do not always get to have the same experience that others do over the holidays. At KIPP Seek Academy, the students do not always have access to books.  In an effort to inspire and bring joy to these students, English students have bought books and written notes in them for Christmas.

Junior Jeanna Speck said, “Language is the key to communication, and communication is a powerful component when working to make change in a community. Being well-educated about certain topic areas or problems allows someone to apply that knowledge to make the change possible. As we are learning about rhetorical devices in class, we realize the power and influence words can have. So, language and education helps people to be involved in their community because it enables change to happen.”