FOCAL (Friends of Children And Literature) chooses a book to honor each year and schools all over are given the opportunity to have their students enter. Our librarian, Mrs. Forbes, reads the book to as many classes as she is able to and offers the students the opportunity to enter. Essays are written and re-written to perfection and are then submitted.
As part of her award, Fernanda, along with Mrs. Forbes, her teacher, Mr. Goldberg, and her mother, Heidy Reyes, attended a luncheon on Saturday in downtown Los Angeles. Fernanda was invited to read her essay in front of everyone and received a signed book from the author.
The story was about a woman named Sylvia Mendez, whose parents fought for the rights of Mexican children to attend any school they chose during a time of segregation. Mrs. Mendez attended the luncheon and Fernanda had the privilege of being able to sit with her and talk about her story.
Students will be invited to enter the next year's essay contest some time the end of October.