Page 5 - CHANGING Spring 2025

sti ute B onx GEAR ute B 6
onx I 6
The B Bronx GEAR UP THRIVES
@Bronx_Gea _Up
: @bronxGE R P
Website: h UP THRIVES
Instag READ TO S UCCEED
Read to Succeed Empowers Students Through Story and Civic Engagement
THIS SPRING, THE BRONX INSTITUTE’S BRONX GEAR UP THRIVES PROGRAM LAUNCHED ITS READ TO
SUCCEED INITIATIVE WITH A TIMELY SELECTION: THE VOTING BOOTH BY BRANDY COLBERT. THROUGH
THE PAGES OF THIS YOUNG ADULT NOVEL, STUDENTS EXPLORED THEMES OF CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY AND
THE POWER OF YOUTH ACTIVISM, ALL WHILE BUILDING SKILLS IN READING AND CRITICAL THINKING.
Su y an Th s rl arks co versati hat
tude im s' th o e o i i f . ec en e in l a n e o i i f . po e o i i f . The Voting Booth follows Marva
and Duke—two very different
teens brought together on Election
a os re counts sparked interest and
admiration from readers, with
discussions taking place in
classrooms and the Coaches at
GEAR UP schools.
“I was very happy to receive The
I w Boo ed Vo Vo oing I I t a t see how it ends.”
Elianny Diaz,
InTech Academy
"It is an incredible book and super
fun to read. The main character is
inspiring."
Emmary Almonte Pina,
New World High School
t e Booth was how we got to see things
from the perspective of both
characters. The book also touches on
serious topics like voting and its
n a l l M s determination on getting Duke to
vo it i m ”
Shalia Martinez, Bronx School for
Law Government and Justice
By combining literature with themes
ga o he around them. Whether it’s by voting,
volunteering, or simply staying
informed, the program encourages
students to see themselves as
ti communities—starting with the
simple yet powerful act of reading.
wa s
i and helping others vote was
s
i m ”
Leah Rodriguez,
Celia Cruz High School
“I liked how different they were—
Marva was so driven and passionate,
l
Instag l T a i real dealing with real issues.”
Carmelo Telfair-Cardona,
Celia Cruz High School