ASTORIA – Assembly Member Aravella Simotas honored 35 children with official New York State Assembly certificates for successfully completing the 2019 “Summer Reading Challenge.”

Ten students were invited to Simotas’ district office for a celebration to honor their success and discuss their favorite books and classes over cookies and juice.

“I was thrilled to welcome the bright kids who completed the Summer Reading Challenge to my district office. Children are the foundation of our future and it is our responsibility to mold them into great leaders,” Simotas said.

Each summer, Simotas hosts this challenge for local students to encourage them to read every day and provide them with an age appropriate reading list and a calendar to mark their progress.

“I developed my love of reading in school with lots of encouragement from my parents, and I hope the Summer Reading Challenge will encourage the same excitement for students and parents across the district,” Simotas said.