Around 90 students at Woodward Elementary school have earned special golden tokens for their new book vending machine funded by the PTO.

Woodward Elementary’s Principal, Ralonda Murty, initially got the idea from Central Mountain Middle School Principal David Romanyshyn who was previously a principal at Centre Hall Elementary in Centre County.

In early 2023, Centre Hall students got to be a part of their own unveiling of a book vending machine through a Random Acts of Reading program titled the “Golden Ticket to Literacy.”

When Murty heard this story, she knew she needed to get one for Woodward.

BREANNA HANLEY/THE EXPRESS
Pictured is a scene from Alan St. Jean and Woodward Elementary’s new book, “A Cactus Attacked Us” from St. Jean’s presentation.

She approached the PTO and, immediately, everyone was on board.

“The PTO said, ‘we can take care of it,” said Murty. “In less than 4 weeks from when they heard about the idea, it was here.”

PTO President Barbara Svederus attended the showcase to see the machine in action, and pass out bookmarks to students who redeem their books.

“We’re always doing funding and we have great donations. Mrs. Murty brought us the idea. We brought it up during the meeting… Honestly before our next meeting it had arrived,” said Svederus.

“We have good people who want the best for the kids here. When that happens, everyone is on the same team. We like to do good things for the kids and I think this is really cool,” Svederus continued.

BREANNA HANLEY/THE EXPRESS
Pictured is the first student to receive a golden token and receive a book at Woodward Elementary, Niyah Woodring.

The vending machine has been in the library in full view of the students, with many students eyeing it up to see which book they should get first.

Students receive tokens through exemplary behavior; students received a certificate that read “You have been the best you can be everywhere every time this entire school year!”

The first student of the bunch to receive her token was Niyah Woodring, who attended the showcase.

Niyah was excited about the book vending machine the moment it was put into the library, and continuously brought it up.

“From the first day (the machine was) brought in she couldn’t stop talking about it. She always reads to me in the car when we go places,” said her mother Terra Stephens.

“Niyah is one of our student ambassadors, and she is one of the most kind, compassionate and giving young ladies in our building. She just has a heart of gold,” said Murty.

The book Niyah picked from the machine was “The One and Only Ivan” — one she’s been eying for a whole month.

“The One and Only Ivan,” by Katherine Applegate and illustrated by Patricia Castelao was originally published in 2012, and has since won the Newbery Medal and several other awards.

“We read it in 3rd grade, (it is) one of my favorites,” said Niyah.

During the showcase event, children’s author Alan St. Jean attended to not only talk about the Young Author’s Literacy Program but to showcase a book students at Woodward Elementary helped to create titled, “A Cactus Attacked Us” which will be printed later this year.

The Young Author’s Literacy Program is a program written and developed by St. Jean for the Young Authors Foundation, and encourages kids to get excited about reading and writing.

It is a three day classroom adventure designed for students in 3rd through 5th grade, and helps students understand literary terms by showing them first-hand how to develop a character and craft a story with a conflict and resolution.

St. Jean worked with the students to create a main cast of characters including Spike the Cactus, Wild Dill, Pickled Pete and Sweet Baby Gherkin. From there they developed the storyline together.

During the showcase St. Jean revealed not only the finished visuals for the book the students helped him craft, but also a delightful music video to go along with it.

“The book is in graphic novel format, and when you get to the middle there’s a QR Code where you can snap a picture and watch the music video. Music is another way to tell a story,” said St. Jean.

Woodward Elementary is the first book St. Jean has ever written a story with.

“It was great fun. The kids get to see an idea turned into reality. I think that’s huge. We all have ideas and things we want to do, and it never seems to work out — but it can,” said St. Jean.

You can learn more about the Young Authors Foundation at www.youngauthorsfoundation.com.