Our Team
Evangelia S.
Founder
Maya P.
Co-Founder
Zoe G.
Director of Books
Evangelia G.
Director
Fundraising & Sourcing
About Us
Founder
Hello! My name is Evangelia and I am a 14 year old student at Dwight Englewood. I attend a school where access to books, libraries and educational resources has always been something I could count on. As a little girl. I spent countless afternoons in libraries with my grandma, often facing the problem of not knowing which book to choose because there were so many. Growing up surrounded by books played a huge role in my learning and personal growth. Reading expanded my vocabulary, strengthened my critical thinking, and helped me better understand the world around me.
As a student who struggles with anxiety and overthinking, reading has also become my escape. When I open a book, I escape from stress and social media and enter a world shaped by fantasy and imagination. In a world full of children (and adults) addicted to screens, books offer an escape from the toxic, unhealthy habits we build off our cellular devices.
As I continued my education, I became aware that not all students are given the same opportunities I’ve had. Many schools are underfunded and lack libraries or easy access to books, which is very troubling to me. Without books, students can struggle with literacy, fall behind academically, and miss out on the confidence, joy, and sense of escape that reading provides. After a long day at school, coming home and picking up a good book always helped reset my mind. Knowing that many other students in my community don’t have those resources motivated me to take action.
This realization inspired me to start BOOKED. Since students don’t have a school library, I thought, let’s bring the library to them! Through BOOKED, we collect and donate books to underserved school without libraries. We provide a mobile library on wheels, where students can enjoy library time, browse through a large collection of carefully curated books, and give them a “library experience”. I believe every child deserves the opportunity to learn, imagine, and grow through reading. Having seen firsthand how powerful books can be in my own life, I want to help make that same impact possible for others and hopefully one day expand this initiative to students around the country.
Co-Founder
Hi! My name is Maya, and I am currently in middle school at Dwight Englewood. I play ice hockey, squash and golf, but more than anything, I love reading. Books allow me to escape into new world, explore fascinating subjects, and provide relaxation from an overstimulated environment. Through school, I have learned that many students don’t have the same access to books or libraries, which can impact their education and opportunities. Therefore, I was inspired to help create BOOKED, a portable library on wheels that brings a library directly to underserved schools. BOOKED is about more than books, it’s about equity and giving every child that chance to experience the magic of reading. I’m excited to close the gap and make stories accessible to all!
Director of Books
Hi! My name is Zoe, and I am currently in high school at the Academy of Holy Angels. I am excited to take on the role of Director of Books. My role is to make sure every student has access to a wide range of books that can resonate with their background, experience, or interests. I believe that the right book can have a large impact on a student. It might spark their interest in reading itself, change their mood, or even change the way they see things in life. I’ve know that many students lack access to books which can make reading feel like a chore and not enjoyable. Being Director of Books is exciting, since I get to make relationships with others who believe in the power of books, and I also get to choose books that are diverse, inclusive and engaging so every student can find a book they connect to.
Director of Fundraising & Sourcing
Hi! My name is Evangelia, and I am a student at The Academy of Holy Angels and the Director of Fundraising & Sourcing for BOOKED. In my role, I help find sponsors, organize book donation drives, and make sure our mobile library is filled with a diverse and exciting collection for students who don’t have access to a school library. I love being part of the BOOKED team because reading has always been important to me, and I believe every child should have the chance to discover new worlds and ideas through books. It means a lot to help bring those opportunities to schools that need them most. When I’m not working on BOOKED projects. I enjoy playing soccer, cooking, and getting involved in difference service and philanthropy activities. I’m really grateful to be part of something that helps kids every day nd encourages a love of reading.