Thursday, October 1, 2026
Students in Wantagh High School’s National English Honor Society wrapped up a successful book drive this month, resulting in hundreds of donated books for children and families in need.
The monthlong collection, which ran from Dec. 8 to Jan. 8, benefited The Book Fairies, a Long Island-based nonprofit that collects and redistributes books to under-resourced communities across Long Island, New York City and beyond.
On the last day of the drive, officers gathered up all of the donations from the lobby and brought them to English Honor Society adviser Alisa Lopera’s room to be organized and boxed. The charitable initiative was spearheaded by seniors Lea Vagnone, the honor society’s vice president, and Sophia Zanelotti, the social media manager.
To promote the drive, the honor society made posters to hang around the school, had a message placed on the morning announcements and got the word out on social media. Wantagh High School students or staff can donate new or gently used books for all ages, with most donations being children’s books.
“It was a huge success,” Vagnone said. “I’m very proud of how many books we’ve collected for the drive. It’s going to help a lot of people, especially young kids, who are going to now have more access to books.”
