Poway High senior collecting books for low-income students

A Poway High School senior is turning her love of reading into something that is benefitting the community.

Sophia Huang, 17, is gathering books for middle and high school aged students for her senior project.

The books, which include test prep books as well as fiction and non-fiction, will be donated to low income schools, libraries and Boys and Girls Clubs.

Huang said she was inspired to collect books for her project after noticing that people no longer need their test preparation books after taking the SAT or similar tests. “Those test prep books are pretty expensive, so I thought it was a good idea to give them to those who can’t afford them,” she said.

Huang also cited her love of reading as an inspiration. “I’m an avid reader, so I thought it was important,” she said.

She began planning her project in October with her advisor, Cora Bagley, and began collecting books in February. “I started with paperwork,” said Huang, “contacting test prep organizations about donations of materials, organizing what I needed and creating a timeline for my project and the book drive.”

Huang began collecting books in January. “I visited several test prep companies in January to collect books from them,” said Huang. “I received vocabulary cards and SAT prep books.”

Huang is also collecting books at Twin Peaks Middle School, Poway High School and is setting up a donation box in the lobby of the Poway Unified School District’s district office in Carmel Mountain Ranch. She began collecting book donations from the schools in early February.

The response so far has been so overwhelming that she’s planning on cutting her book drive short. “I’ve collected hundreds of books so far,” she said.

Huang will be collecting books through Monday, Feb. 23. She is aiming to collect books for ages 11 through 18. “There’s a big variation in reading and skill levels (I’m looking for),” she said.

Following her book drive, she will be working to sort and organize the books before they are sent to their new homes.

Huang said her project advisor is helping her figure out where her books will be donated. “My mentor is in contact with a previous PUSD administrator (who is assisting in donating the books),” said Huang. “There are many students in need across the county.”

Huang plans to donate the books to their new homes and owners in person, if possible.

Huang’s love of reading extends to her academic life, where her favorite class is AP Literature. “I really enjoy reading classical literature,” she said. “It’s definitely an interest of mine.”

She’s also interested in languages, and said she has an interest in pursuing a career in law or international relations.

Those interested in donating test prep, fiction or non-fiction books can donate through Feb. 23 in the district office lobby, 15250 Avenue of Science in Carmel Mountain Ranch or the Twin Peaks Center, 13626 Twin Peaks Road, building 100 in Poway.