Christi Overman, left, and Nicole Moore with students. Photo provided by Warsaw Community Schools.

News Release

WARSAW — On Tuesday, Sept. 10, Washington STEM Academy will be hosting its 2nd Annual Literacy Night from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. This event is part of the school’s celebration of Literacy Month, inviting the public and school community to learn more about reading services in the area.

The night will feature eye screenings, free books, reading activities, crafts and local authors. Local bookstores like Pages Aplenty, The Wordhouse and others will bring books for sale while Grace College students will host a book carnival. Students can enjoy games, create literacy-themed crafts and listen to stories read by guest readers including prominent Kosciusko County community members. Shawnanigans Food Truck and Fire Kissed Pizza will be parked out back for those wishing to purchase dinner.

“Growing up, the Book Fairs my school hosted were core memories that have never lost their magic,” says owner Maddie Anweiler. “Even as an adult, if I have an opportunity to go to a Book Fair, I jump at the chance. Now that I have my own bookshop, it’s my endeavor to bring that magic to my community. Books are magic and I love being able to participate in events like Washington’s Literacy Night because I imagine I’m creating core memories for kids that involve my favorite thing—books!”

Dr. David Hoffert, Superintendent of Warsaw Community Schools, will be a guest reader for the evening and is an advocate of this event. “Literacy is the key foundation of all academics. Washington’s Literacy Night is a great way to recognize that foundation through the celebration of great books, activities and skills. The Washington PTO, staff and families come together for an enriching and fun evening that showcases a lifelong love of reading,” says Hoffert.

The first 100 students to attend Literacy Night will receive a free bag for their giveaways courtesy of Warsaw Orthodontics.

Washington principal, Cheri Sleighter, has long supported this event. “It is essential to spend quality time doing things we love with our children,” Sleighter says. “Literacy Night is an opportunity to not only spend quality time with our children but also to show support and passion for literacy. This helps instill a love of literacy and learning in the next generation.”

Literacy Night is hosted by Washington’s Innovation Lab and PTO. Fabiola Nunez, the school’s Librarian and Digital Learning Specialist, sees firsthand the power of reading in her classes. “Literacy Night is more than just an event,” she says. “It’s a celebration of the power of reading and writing to transform lives.”

This is an opportunity to come together as a school and community. “We not only enhance individual skills but also strengthen our collective future, fostering a culture of learning and opportunity for everyone,” adds Nunez.

Nunez also extends her thanks to Criss Corson, Washington’s Literacy Cadre coach, for her dedication to supporting students and for being an advocate of this event. “We are so blessed to have Mrs. Corson in our building to support our students every day.”

The PTO is proud to facilitate this event for a second year and is excited to see it become an annual tradition at Washington STEM Academy. “The PTO’s goal is to support teachers, students and build community,” says PTO president Dr. Julia Porter. “We have made supporting literacy at Washington a primary goal and are happy to help in any way we can—from finding vendors and connecting with local community members to advertising this event.”

The PTO is also committed to supporting Warsaw Community Schools’ pillar of Inclusion by ensuring every student at Washington receives a book during the school’s Book Fair, which will be held the first week of December. “We have dedicated a large portion of our budget and are writing grants, hosting fundraisers and seeking community support to continue to get books in students’ hands,” says Porter.

For more information about Washington’s Literacy Night, please contact Fabiola Nunez at [email protected] or Dr. Julia Porter at [email protected].

Pictured, from left, Liliana Rak, Becky Rak, Julia Porter and Ashley Caudill.