Student donates reading prize to buy books for patients

Children’s of Mississippi patients will have more books to read, thanks to a kind gift from Antonina Karam, a fifth-grade student at First Presbyterian Day School in Jackson. She is the daughter of Dr. Rola Abi Selah, assistant professor of internal medicine, division of geriatrics, and Dr. Simon Karam, associate professor of pediatrics, division of newborn medicine.

“Antonina read around 400 books this school year to have 1,400 points,” said school librarian Jana Heimer. “She had the most Accelerated Reader points at FPDS this year. We award gift cards to those students reaching 500 or more AR points. When I realized that Antonina was going to have the most points, I reached out to her parents and asked where she would like to receive a gift card from. Her mother responded and said that Antonina wished to donate the amount that we would spend on a gift card to Children’s of Mississippi to buy books for the children undergoing cancer treatment. Antonina donated a check for $150.”

Heimer said the gift is a blend of Antonina’s love of reading and concern for others. “She is an excellent student and has a very generous and giving heart.”

Antonina is the oldest sister to Mariam, 8, and Elias Ephrem, 6. In addition to being an avid reader, she enjoys playing violin, swimming, and creating artwork.