DALLAS — A Community Night held recently at the Dallas Middle School brought area residents out to buy books and other educational materials to benefit the school’s library and to meet a student author.
Senior Audrey Aristeo greeted over 100 parents, students and community members, providing them a chance to purchase her book, a fantasy novel, and offering words of encouragement and inspiration.
To Aristeo, of Trucksville, writing the book was not only about putting together words, but doing so with a sense of passion and confidence.
“Anyone can write a book if they want to,” she said. “When you’re doing it, do it for yourself and don’t think about whether it’s good enough.”
Aristeo, now 17, said she wrote the book over several years and was inspired by the Harry Potter series.
Her mother Abby knew her daughter was creative and encouraged her to follow her passion.
“We have a basement full of boxes with picures and writing,” she said. “I think it’s wonderful.”
Aristeo, who is planning to study illustration and creative writing after high school, said she has several ideas for a second book.
“She is always looking for the next outlet for her creativity,” Abby said.
The event also provided opportunity for a bit of mid-winter visiting between neighbors and even a reunion between a student and his mentor.
As John Owens prepared to pay for a book, he asked librarian Maria Augustine, “Do you know who I am?”
Augustine did indeed remember Owens, a 1994 graduate of the district, as a student library aide from early in her career.
“It’s always wonderful to see students come back with their own children,” she Augustine, who has worked in the district for 32 years. “I’ve even had second-generation library aides.”
Owens, a network engineer, was flocked by three of his children, who eagerly made their way through the event, picking out books and making new friends.
To Nick Vincelli, 13, a seventh-grader at the middle school, the event was a chance not only to look at books, with a Minecraft theme being his favorite, but also to enjoy a night out.”
“I’m having a nice time with friends,” he said. “It’s all cool stuff.”
Augustine said the event, now in its fourth year, opens the school’s book sale to the community and to parents who might not otherwise get to the sale.
“About 100 people came out, and it’s more popular every year,” she said. “The books are reasonably priced, with no tax charged to students. We’re definitely doing it again next year.”
