Giving Back: Canon Solutions America Assists High School Students with Book

Melville, New York-based Canon Solutions America, a wholly-owned subsidiary and the sales arm of Tokyo-based Canon, announces the launch of “Words of Art,” a publication of literary works created by a group of students from Jericho High School in Jericho, New York. The book, which features poetry, essays and short stories,  was unveiled at an event Oct. 23 at the school, celebrating the participants’ completion of Canon Solutions America’s Future Authors Project.

Established 12 years ago in Palm Beach County, Florida, as a community outreach program by Canon Solutions America’s predecessor, Océ North America, and expanded to Jericho, New York, in 2017, the Future Authors Project offers high school students perspective into the full process of writing, from idea conception, drafting, and editing through to publication. Each year, a group of students is selected to participate in a summer writing workshop, with the goal of cultivating their passion for writing and honing their story development and critical thinking skills. Students receive instruction by certified teachers, as well as insight from local, published authors and Canon experts.

This year’s theme for the Jericho High chapter, Words of Art, aligned the fine arts with the literary, and students were tasked with creating written pieces inspired by both digital photography and works of art on display at the Nassau County Museum of Art. Canon cameras were shared with students and faculty, allowing them to take photographs to accompany their written work. The students’ submissions were then compiled and digitally printed and bound into a book using Canon printing technology.

Said Joanna Grafas, a student in the program, “Working with Canon has been such an incredible opportunity. Having the chance to use such a high-quality camera enabled me to focus on detail in my writing, expand my creativity, and help create a beautiful, published book.”

“What is so special about our collaboration with Canon Solutions America Future Authors is how it increases students’ creativity,” adds Suzanne Valenza, a teacher of English language arts at Jericho High. “By combining their language and writing skills with their visual and artistic skills, students’ imaginations soar in unexpected and astonishing ways.”

“I’m extremely proud of the partnership between Canon Solutions America and Jericho High School,” says Dr. Daniel Salzman, curriculum associate for English language arts with the Jericho School District. “The Canon Solutions America Future Authors Project is unique in Jericho because we amplify student voice by facilitating a community of writers in an engaging learning space.”