On December 17, a group of Solehi National Honors Society (NHS) members visited kindergarteners, first-graders, and second-graders at Fountain Hill Elementary School to read to the children to get them ready for the holidays.

“Just interacting with the kids was my favorite part,” senior and NHS President CJ Maron said. “It was fun to talk to them. They’re at an age where you could talk to them but they were still young enough to be goofy. They were so excited just to get books, so that was awesome.”

In addition to a visit, NHS also collaborated with Cops ‘n’ Kids and conducted a book drive for the Fountain Hill Elementary children.

“The Cops ‘n’ Kids Children’s Literacy Program has just distributed its 695,000th free book – 400 of which went to Fountain Hill for the Southern Lehigh visit,” President of Cops ‘n’ Kids Children’s Literacy Program Ms. Beverly A. Bradley said. “I am hoping that the Southern Lehigh NHS will continue in its commitment to our program by coordinating additional book drives in the future to help sustain our efforts to help educate the children in our community.”

On the day of the event, the NHS students met the Fountain Hill children at an opening assembly, where they shared their names, their favorite children’s books, and their dreams. The assembly was lead by Ms. Bradley, who encouraged the kids to never stop dreaming.

The NHS students then paired up and visited the kindergarten, first, and second grade classrooms. They read holiday stories to them, helped them decorate the bookmarks, and played with them. They also gave each student a book from the book drive complete with their signature and a candy cane as a special holiday treat.

“It’s very special to have the [NHS] kids come and visit [the Fountain Hill Elementary children] and give them a book, plus the candy cane and the bookmarks,” guidance counselor and NHS advisor Mrs. Lynne Kelly said. “[It’s a] a nice little reward in preparation for Christmas and encourages them to stay in school and read so that they can do their best. That’s the goal.”

Not only did the elementary students receive the gifts, but all students took away something special from the visit. The Fountain Hill Elementary students were given a day to celebrate how special and valued they are, something that isn’t a normality in their lives.

“From what the teachers tell me when I talk to them, they say that the Southern Lehigh students have no idea how much the little ones look up to them and appreciate and value their time, interest, and encouragement,” Mrs. Kelly said. “This is an impoverished school with a high rate of poverty, so [the children] don’t have a lot. Anything you can give the kids is something important.”

“I believe that the biggest benefit that will come from having these groups of students work together is the positive role models that the Fountain Hill students will gain,” Fountain Hill Activities Coordinator Mrs. Cassandra Meckes said. “The National Honor Society students work very hard to retain their recognition as a member of this elite group and I believe that sharing their story with the Fountain Hill students definitely will spark in them a goal to achieve greatness during their academic careers.”

The NHS students also took away a valuable and heart-warming experience that they’ll never forget.

“It was just a good experience to have,” Maron said. “It was touching to see how excited these kids got when they found out they would receive a book. I know when I was little I could read any time I wanted, and I know that’s not the case for everyone there, so it was a very cool experience to have to be able to provide those kids with a book.”

NHS also participates in activities and events with the Fountain Hill Elementary School children throughout the year.

“We have a group of 21 NHS students paired with 21 fourth and fifth grade students from Fountain Hill,” Mrs. Kelly said. “They’re called the academic achievers. Each Tuesday, they drive to Fountain Hill and tutor from 3:30 until 5:00. They develop a craft, do their homework, maybe play a game. It’s an experience where we focus on, number one getting their homework done, but also just developing a nice relationship, a buddy system, where they know someone cares. Sometimes these kids don’t have someone at home helping them, so it’s just an additional support. The kids love it. “