State Rep. Lynn Afendoulis recently held a bookmark-creating contest for students at Orchard View Elementary of Forest Hills Public Schools and Beach Elementary of Cedar Springs Public Schools to commemorate March is Reading Month. The Michigan-themed bookmarks were reviewed by a committee before being judged by Rep. Afendoulis and Rep. Jon Hoadley of Kalamazoo. The representatives serve as co-chairs of the bipartisan Creative Caucus, a group of legislators dedicated to supporting the arts in Michigan.

“Interacting with our young people is one of the things I love most about being your state representative,” Rep. Afendoulis said. “I always appreciate the opportunity to answer their questions and hopefully pique their interest in positively engaging with their state government. It is a very rewarding part of my job.”

The winners were announced at their respective schools and received a 20^th anniversary copy of The Legend of Sleeping Bear by Kathy-Jo Wargin. Their classrooms also received cookies to celebrate the event. After presenting the awards, Rep. Afendoulis read Duck for President by Doreen Cronin to several groups of students at each school and emphasized the importance of reading throughout the year.

March is Reading Month is an annual educational program designed to recognize the importance of reading inside and outside of the classroom and to instill a love of reading in young people. Many legislators use the opportunity to read to youth across their district.

Rep. Afendoulis serves the people of Michigan’s 73^rd House District, including the city of East Grand Rapids and the townships of Grand Rapids, Plainfield, Cannon, Courtland, Spencer, Nelson, and Oakfield.

PHOTO INFORMATION: State Rep. Lynn Afendoulis reads to a group of students at Orchard View Elementary for March is Reading Month.