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Nassief Is A Third-Grade Reading Trendsetter

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By CLIFF GILL, Tribune correspondent

Published: November 19, 2007

LAND O' LAKES - The Land O' Lakes High School volleyball season may be completed, but Kaela Nassief's work is not done. The outside hitter, known for her "Killer Floater" serves, once scored seven aces in a match. Her coach, Michelle Griffin, considers Nassief one of the team's best servers.

"When she hits it just right, the ball changes directions and is difficult to return," said Griffin.

Now, instead of winning matches, Nassief is winning the minds of local 8-year-olds. Every Wednesday after school, she and 13 other Land O' Lakes High School students travel to Pine View Elementary to teach third-graders how to read. The mentor group is called the "Teen Trendsetters."

Started by Nassief, she and the other high school students use their creativity to stimulate the young minds to make reading fun and more enjoyable.

"I use books, magazines, puzzles and whatever I can to get them interested. My goal is not just to teach them how to read, but to teach them to want to read," said Nassief.

Nassief, who has a 3.8 GPA, is part of the International Baccalaureate Program. She and 250 other high school students take advanced courses to earn college credits. According to Assistant Principal Caryn McDermott, the program focuses on three components - creativity, action and service.

"Land O' Lakes High School is one of only two Pasco County schools that offers the program. It teaches them to take academic challenges and to push themselves to make a difference," said McDermott.

The plan to teach third-graders to read originated from an assignment from English teacher James Bussell.

"This was all Kaela's idea. She came to me about having a club to sponsor to help 8-year-olds. It took off from there," said Bussell.

Nassief credits her parents for wanting to help others.

"My mom and dad are optimists who see the good in others. They taught me to believe that there is a light inside everyone. It just takes somebody else to bring it out," she said.

The mentor program has already made an impact on the third-graders. As Nassief and her classmates enter Pine View, the smiling 8-year-olds cheer and applaud. The youngsters are eager to get started. "They look up to us. In just a few months, I can see their sense of achievement of doing something they didn't think they could do," said Nassief.

The Land O' Lakes volleyball team will also be looking to Nassief to take a leadership role next year.

"We're graduating seven seniors. Kaela will likely be our first server in 2008. Her skills and her ability to help the younger players will be critical to our success. We're counting on her in a big way," said Coach Griffin.

The 8-year-olds at Pine View are counting on her in an even bigger way.

To nominate someone making a difference in the community, contact Cliff Gill at (727) 860-4903.

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