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Follow on Google News | ![]() McNair High School Alumni and Author Friends Start Scholarship FundBy: Kenni York In the last thirty days McNair High School, located in Atlanta, GA has experienced a bout of bad publicity. Headlines and radio topics have highlighted the misfortune of school violence resulting in students being banned from prom and the scandal surrounding the death of a teacher. "I felt like it was time to shed some positive light on the school," explains organizer, Kenni York (class of 2001) when asked why she decided to dedicate this year's book drive to the high school. "I've seen and heard a lot and at the end of the day I want the students to know that the community is here for them. I'm not rich. I'm not a celebrity by far, but I have it in me to do my small part to make a difference. We all do." "The best reward and or gift to an educator is for his or her former students to be successful and to give back," says McNair's Assistant Principal of Attendance and Testing, Dr. Barbara Long. Coincidentally, Dr. Long was once Kenni York's ninth grade English teacher. Dr. Long's statement is exactly what Kenni York and her team hopes will happen. "So many successful individuals have come out of McNair and so far a few of them have graciously contributed to the book fund," says Kenni York. The goal is to get the students focused on literacy, reading, and success and provide them with a source of encouragement and support. "As a young adult I had an insatiable appetite for reading. I can attribute so much of my mental growth to the eye-opening perspectives that I was introduced to through literature. In our communities it's rare to see a teen with a book for pleasure and I want to be the catalyst for revitalizing the desire to engage in a book and allow one's mind to soar," explains Kierra Petty, owner of Petty Thoughts Productions. "Everyone doesn't have the means to splurge on books, that's not necessarily a prioritized cost especially in a financially tricky climate. Through this book drive I hope to eliminate this monetary issue as an excuse for the neglect of literary engagement." Funds are being collected virtually through CashApp ($mcnairbookfund) "This is a great chance to do something good and focus on something positive where the school's concerned," says Kelvin York (class of 2000), founder of The York Concept. "Every little bit helps." End
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