On Thursday, November 28, a group of Horace Mann YES Reading students chatted excitedly as parents and tutors started to arrive at the Reading Center for the first Reading Recital of the day.  Every year before the holidays, YES Reading students choose a poem to practice and then present it in front of an audience at the annual winter Reading Recital. 

By the time all of the guests had arrived, the Horace Mann Reading Center was full.  Many volunteers and families came to support individual students.  One fifth grade teacher brought her entire class to the recital to cheer on some fifth grade students in the program.  In addition to these guests, Sam Liccardo, San Jose City Councilman, attended the event to show his support for the students and the YES Reading program.

During the recital, Councilman Liccardo was clearly impressed with the students’ performances and applauded enthusiastically after each presentation.  After several children presented, Mr. Liccardo spoke to the students regarding the importance of reading.  He reminded them that the work they were doing with their tutors would help them for the rest of their lives.  The Councilman also expressed his gratitude and admiration for the YES Reading volunteers that dedicate time every day to ensure that students are equipped with the skills they need to be lifelong learners. 

At the end of his presentation, Mr. Liccardo asked the students to repeat a couple of phrases after him so that they would remember the messages they heard that day--“I will read every day,” and “After I work with my tutor I will say thank you.”  Mr. Liccardo smiled widely as he listened to the entire group of over thirty students repeat these phrases in unison.  The Reading Recital not only recognized the achievement of YES Reading students thus far, but also celebrated the efforts of San Jose community members who are invested in the future of Horace Mann students.