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Staff of the Thurgood Marshall Elementary School celebrated National African-American Read-In with students a little differently this year, according to a news release from the Asbury Park School District.

In the past, famous keynote speakers were brought in to interact with students. But for Monday’s, co-organizers Sharon Stevenson and Veronica Patterson decided to look no further than the Asbury Park community for everyday heroes who are making a difference.

“We always searching high and low for leaders who have done great things, and we have them right in our community,” said Thurgood Marshall Principal Mark Gerbino. “It’s time our young people look at who’s around them. Everything is attainable!”

The panel featured five community members including Asbury Park Mayor Myra Campbell, Asbury Park Firefighter Marcus Blackmon, Bradley Elementary School Principal Kathy Baumgardner, Airman and Bradley Beach Police Officer Rafiq Pickett and Asbury Park Police Officer Tyron McAllister.

All presented to the students, in their own way, what Black History means to them. The student emcee for the program was Lissette Contreras.

In addition to exposing youth to the importance of black history, the goal of the interactive program was also to have students begin to take ownership of their destinies now.

Read-Ins are organized throughout the country during the month of February in conjunction with Black History Month. Students who take part read and listen to works by Black authors. The event was started through the Black Caucus of the National Council of Teachers of English.

[Photo at top: Asbury Park Police Officer Tyron McAllister interacts with students at Thurgood Marshall Elementary School. Photo above, at right: Front row, Teacher and co-event organizer Sharon Stevenson, Student Emcee Lissette Contreras, Asbury Park Mayor Myra Campbell, Reading Specialist and co-event organizer Veronica Patterson, and Bradley Elementary School Principal Kathy Baumgardner. Second Row, Asbury Park Police Officer Tyron McAllister, Asbury Park Firefighter Marcus Blackmon and Airman and Bradley Beach Police Officer Rafiq Picket.]

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