GOSHEN, NY — Goshen High School senior, Francesca Zuccaro, has a lifelong connection to the Scotchtown Avenue Elementary School (SAS) community has come full circle. Driven by a passion for reading and a desire to give back, this student leader successfully launched and managed a massive literacy initiative, collecting over 1,000 books to ensure every child at SAS has a story to take home this summer.
The inspiration for the project started right at home.
“My brother just started kindergarten this year,” the student shared. “Seeing his enjoyment of reading motivated me.”
The goal of the book drive was simple yet ambitious: to give every single child at SAS a book of their own to keep forever, paving the way for long-term literacy options and regular reading habits for children across Goshen.
Turning that goal into a reality required intense civic action, determination, and a strategy that began all the way back in January. To gather the resources, the student utilized social media and partnered with local businesses, including the town’s Keller Williams real estate office, to set up community collection points.
Thanks to the overwhelming generosity of Goshen residents, the drive brought in a staggering 1,048 books. Gathering the books, however, was only half the battle. The student then spent two weeks meticulously sorting through the donations to ensure they were perfect for the young students.
Executing a project of this scale served as a masterclass in leadership, communication, and patience. The student collaborated closely with the SAS staff, learning firsthand how to work with young students, read a classroom, and adapt lessons to meet unique, diverse learning needs.
“You have to speak to a lot of people, plan your own lessons, and organize all the books,” they reflected. “Working with the staff taught me patience and how to focus on what a class truly needs.”
When asked about the ultimate reward of the months-long project, the answer didn’t involve the numbers or the logistics. It was all about the kids.
“The most rewarding part was coming in and seeing the excitement on their faces when they got to take home a book.”
As graduation approaches, this project stands as a testament to what student leadership can achieve. Up next, the student is heading to Ramapo College of New Jersey to study Business Management and Pre-Law, with plans to attend law school immediately after. With the communication skills, determination, and heart demonstrated during this book drive, the future looks incredibly bright—not just for this future attorney, but for the hundreds of young Goshen readers holding a brand-new book this summer.
