Pirate Seniors Share the Joy of Reading at Antilles Elementary

On Wednesday, March 4, Pirate Seniors from Ms. Ferrer’s ELA 12 class participated in the Read Across America celebration at DoDEA Antilles Elementary School. Our high school seniors had the opportunity to read to younger students, build meaningful connections, share stories, and serve as positive role models for the next generation of Pirates.

The visit began in the Antilles Elementary School library, where Information Specialist Ms. Ericka White and Reading Specialist Ms. Janet Lopez welcomed the group and provided an overview of the activity. Students then selected books from the elementary library before heading to classrooms across campus to read with the younger students. The excitement among the elementary students was unmistakable—their smiles, enthusiasm, and engagement filled each classroom and reminded everyone of the powerful impact that reading and mentorship can have.

For many of our seniors, this experience was especially meaningful. They fondly remembered their own days at Antilles Elementary when high school students visited to read to them. Now, as graduating seniors, they were proud to “pay it forward” by stepping into that same inspiring role. It was truly a full-circle moment and a memory that many of them will treasure for years to come.

A special thank you to Ms. Ferrer for organizing this meaningful collaboration and creating an opportunity for our seniors to give back to the Antilles school community. Ms. Ferrer was accompanied by Library Information Specialist Ms. Amarilys Diaz, who supported the visit and helped ensure a wonderful experience for both the high school and elementary students.

This is Pirate pride! This is the strength of our DoDEA community at Fort Buchanan, Puerto Rico!