Read Across Kosciusko County is an annual event hosted by the Kosciusko County Community Foundation’s youth philanthropy program known as “Keys.” This spring, 20 Keys members, aided by more than 30 adult volunteers, traveled to 16 elementary schools throughout Kosciusko County. They read “Can I Be Your Dog?” by Cummings to every classroom of second-graders. On the heels of Read Across Kosciusko County, Cummings visited each of the classrooms to provide an interactive lesson on the art of storytelling.

While at Pierceton Elementary School May 4, Cummings read “Can I Be Your Dog?” with the school’s first-, second- and third-grade classes. He led them through a series of guided observations about the book, discussing the characters and plot. Cummings then created two brand-new characters with the students’ help. He taught them the basic elements of a good book and encouraged them to write and illustrate their own stories at home. “Anyone who finishes a story is an author,” Cummings said. “I became an author in second grade.”

Cummings then spent time with each second-grade class, signing their books, answering all their questions and having a student draw and create a monster with him.

Since 1995, Keys students representing Lakeland Christian Academy, Tippecanoe Valley, Warsaw and Wawasee schools have worked together to accomplish their mission to positively impact and improve education in the community. As a grant-making body, they recommend more than $20,000 in grants to educators and nonprofits each year. While in the program, Keys members learn about philanthropy, teamwork, nonprofit governance, leadership and service to their community.

For more information about Keys, visit kcfoundation.org/keys.

Author Troy Cummings speaks to children at Pierceton Elementary May 4. Photo provided.