University of Detroit Mercy undergraduates Ranen Yousif, Nicholas Azzo, Kathia Diaz, and Marisol Angulo celebrated reading with the first graders and preschoolers at Gesu Elementary School.  All of the students picked a new book and homemade bookmark to take home, and the undergraduates and elementary students talked about their career goals and shared love of reading.  One of Ms. Piotrowski’s first graders is planning on running for president in 2036; she has Dr. Harrison’s vote!

Other UDM students who volunteered at Gesu over the semester include Taj Kooner, Thomas Quan, Maegan McFarland, Megan Sand, Candace Barron, Courtney Baird, Nolan Patel, Teresa Miranda-Chavez, Lauren Berlin, Samantha Carnaghi, and Jacquelyne Zolynsky.

The 1st graders check out their new books!

So many choices!

Ranen and Nick get things ready for the kids.

Kathia and Marisol after serving the kids a celebratory snack.

One of our wonderful books (by National Book Award winner Jacqueline Woodson) with “book worm” bookmarks by Samantha Carnaghi.