On Friday, June 16, Giffen Memorial Elementary students celebrated their reading accomplishments for the year and their reading goals for the summer, with the help of Assemblyman Ron Canestrari, Superintendent Eva Joseph and their reading buddies from the nearby branch of the Department of Motor Vehicles.

The celebration was the culminating event of the Reading Buddy program, in which 19 volunteers from the DMV spent at least 30 minutes per week reading with one student from the school. The 19 students and volunteers were recognized at the event.

Canestreri was there to speak to students about his 2006 Summer Reading Challenge, in which he will reward area students who read for 15 minutes each day over the summer. "Just because school is out doesn't mean we have to stop learning or reading," he said. Studies have shown that children who continue to read during the summer perform better in the fall." More information about his reading program can be obtained at Assemblyman Canestrari's Web site, http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/?ad=106.

Canestrari has issued the summer reading challenge for more than a decade.

Likewise, the Reading Buddy program between Giffen and the DMV has gone on for more than a decade, and the relationships formed between the students and volunteers often grow to be very strong.

Superintendent Eva Joseph applauded Assemblyman Canestreri, the DMV volunteers and the students and staff at Giffen for all of their hard work, as she wished the students well on their summer reading adventures.

The following are the Giffen students and their reading buddies who took part in the program, which is coordinated by Kim Fahd.