Blendon Middle School’s Shira Baumann is among a select group of young authors published in “The Big Book: Voices of our Future,” commissioned by The Columbus Foundation. Baumann is seen here displaying the book during Blendon’s recent African American Read-In, at which she was a featured author.
Blendon Middle School Student Shira Baumann had the honor of reading an excerpt from her essay, “The Dream Inside of Me,” during The Columbus Foundation’s annual National Number Ones event on February 22, 2020.
Baumann is one of 23 young authors whose works were featured in “The Big Book: Voices of our Future,” a publication commissioned by The Columbus Foundation in celebration of its 75th anniversary. Available through the Columbus Metropolitan Library’s online book store, the publication represents a collection of stories that reflect the young authors’ hopes, dreams, and visions for the future. Those selected for publication represent each of the Columbus Metropolitan Library’s 23 locations.
The sixth-grader also joined Columbus Foundation President/CEO Doug Kridler onstage and helped set the tone for the event with her opening remarks. National Number Ones is the Foundation’s annual celebration of the accomplishments of individual community leaders and organizations who, during the past year, have been recognized by their industry peers for their outstanding contributions to their fields. Baumann also handed out copies of “The Big Book: Voices of our Future” to each of the award winners.