April 25, 2008 - Boght Hills students have been developing their self-confidence and love for reading through participation in the Colonie Youth Center's new Book Nook Club, based at the school.

Designed to encourage young students to read for pleasure— without prompting from teachers or parents, the Book Nook offers students the choice of nearly 150 books in a comfortable setting, complete with a vibrant area rug, chairs and mats.

Club members have the opportunity to become Readers of the Week, where they select a book, study it for content, determine each character's style and tone of voice and then deliver the story out loud to the group by the end of the week—bringing the characters to life. Of the 85 club members, 50 students have already signed up to become Readers of the Week.

The Book Nook program was made possible by a $10,000 grant from Verizon. In early April, Verizon Director of State Public Policy Richard C. Bozsik, along with CYC staff and board members, visited the school to get a close-up look at the program's success. Students thanked both of the organizations for their support of this exciting new program and demonstrated their enthusiasm by reading a story.