Seniors share stories, time with Bashaw students

MANATEE COUNTY — Six-year-old McKenzie Goodman sat quietly in her seat, waiting patiently for the kindergarten classroom door to open.

Within a matter of moments, McKenzie’s eyes lit up, and a giant smile spread across her face, as a group of Lakewood Ranch High seniors filed into the classroom.

Armed with books they had written, games and activities, the seniors spent the morning working with Bashaw Elementary School students, as part of the school’s 20th annual Winnie the Pooh and Shakespeare, Too event March 23.

“I’m excited to see the seniors, because they are going to read us stories,” McKenzie said. “I like reading, because you can learn new words when you read.

Nearly 200 Lakewood seniors participated in the event. As part of the Manatee County Core of Curriculum, the students were required to come up with three activities to go along with their books, including a writing activity, an art and craft and a manipulation activity.

“It’s cool, because the younger kids can see that anybody can be an author,” Bashaw teacher of gifted students Kim Hicks said. “The seniors really make some publishable books.”

Lakewood English department Chairwoman Agatha Tresky agreed.

“One of the (biggest) gifts you can give a student is the gift of literacy,” Tresky said.

For the seniors, it was an opportunity to explore their inner creativity. Some students chose to use past experiences as the inspiration for their books while others decided to tailor their books around popular themes, values or cultural issues.

Seniors Dalton Downing and Ronisha Williams drew on their past experiences at the Boys & Girls Clubs for their book “Make a Change.”

“I went to the Boys & Girls Club in elementary school; and it was fun,” Downing said. “They helped me a lot with my homework, and I made a lot of friends. We wanted the kids to know that if they need help, there’s help out there for them.

“This reminds me of when I was in elementary school and how much fun I had,” Downing said. “It’s (neat) seeing how much fun they’re having playing these games that we made.”

Williams agreed.

“The Girls Club helped me be social, because I was with a whole bunch of kids that I was able to interact with,” Williams said.

After their topics were chosen, the students spent months researching and writing their books. Once the writing process was complete, the students each chose the appropriate age level for their books.

“It’s fun seeing how kids react and get excited to participate and work together,” said senior Jillian Smith, who co-wrote a book entitled “Love and Locks Forever” about people with hair-loss diseases. “Suddenly prizes become a pretty big deal.”

Lakewood English teacher Frank Anderson, who started the program along with his wife and former Bashaw teacher, Andy, in 1992, attended the event for the first time in four years.

“I’m surprised and shocked it’s still happening,” Anderson said. “Since 1992, I never really expected this. I’m so happy. I hope it keeps going.

“I love seeing the smiles on the little kids’ faces, and the big kids’ faces, too,” he said.

Contact Jen Blanco at [email protected].