Pebble Hills High School welcomed students and their families from its feeder schools for a night of reading and stargazing during the Literacy Lunada event on Nov. 14.
The annual literacy event highlighted the importance of reading and literacy and inspired students and their families to incorporate reading into their daily routines.
“This is a part of our community outreach to bring our community in and showcase all the things that we have to offer,” said Dawn Demings-Rico, the librarian at Cactus Trails Elementary School and one of the Literacy Lunada’s organizers.
The evening showcased student performances, including folklorico dancers, arts and crafts, and astronomy and stargazing activities. Participants observed the moon and stars through telescopes provided by the high school’s astronomy club.
Children gathered around author Phillip Cortez as he read from his book, “I’ll Be the Moon: A Migrant Child’s Story,” in the school’s auditorium. Meanwhile, outside in the courtyard, attendees listened to Native American storyteller Alex Mares share stories about the night sky.
Claudia Martinez was excited to attend the event with her nephew, a student at Cactus Trails Elementary School. She appreciated that the event promoted reading, which she said was essential for becoming a critical thinker and a better student.
“Reading (is) important because, you know, you just build your knowledge, and it helps you become a better learner,” Martinez said. “So, it opens up a lot of doors and different ways of viewing things and learning and thinking.”