Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez joined local students at a West Farms literacy hub as elected officials look to change the narrative on reading in schools.  

The Start Lighthouse Literacy Hub at P.S. 214 is one of two hubs in the Bronx that’s looking to revive library spaces in schools. Ocasio-Cortez sat in as a student to observe a class in session for the first time.  

“There are a lot of challenges with reading and to see this group be so engaged with reading and be so on point with it, it gives me so much hope that we have so many budding leaders here in the Bronx,” said Ocasio-Cortez.  

OIivia Blackmore, a student at the school, wrote to Ocasio-Cortez about the program, helping to secure funding so that students can gather during the day, after-school and even on Saturdays to take part in the reading process.  

"During the pandemic, it was really hard to get books and so when Starlight House came and donated books to the kids it was like a new start back into reading,” said Olivia Blackmore.  

Ocasio-Cortez tells News 12 that she’s encouraging these young minds to reach out to their local leaders to advocate what they want to see in their communities.