Massapequa's inaugural 'Reading Under the Lights' event a big hit among high school students, youngsters
Massapequa fourth-grade teacher and event organizer Jessica Shippos, center, along with her two children and her husband, Massapequa football coach Kevin Shippos, stand with members of the Massapequa football team and young students during the inaugural "Reading Under the Lights" event on Oct. 5, 2026, at Massapqua High School. Credit: Dawn McCormick
Under the bright lights of Massapequa High School’s football field Monday night, the books came out.
Instead of running plays, varsity football players, cheerleaders and other high school students gathered with some of the district’s youngest students to read stories, talk about books and spend time together.
The inaugural “Reading Under the Lights” brought local elementary school students onto the high school campus for an evening centered on literacy and community.
“The football players read to me and my brother and I got to spend time with my friends,” said James Errera, a fourth-grader at Unqua Elementary school.
The idea came from Unqua Elementary School fourth-grade teacher Jessica Shippos, who organized the event with the help of her husband, Massapequa varsity football coach Kevin Shippos.
The goal was simple: Encourage a love of reading while giving younger students the chance to see their high school peers — particularly athletes they may look up to — enjoying books.
Massapequa football player Sean Durnin reads to a young Massapequa student during "Reading Under The Lights" event on Oct. 5, 2026 at Massapequa High School. Credit: Dawn McCormick
“It’s important to foster a love of literacy,” Jessica Shippos said. “It’s so important for our little guys to see our high school students, who are the best role models, reading and engaging with books, having conversations and getting that face-to-face time.”
For the younger students, the evening was about more than reading. Errera attended with his younger brother, Nico, a kindergartener. After football players read to the brothers, James said he enjoyed getting to know the team.
“I got to meet all the people on the team and now I can look for them when they’re playing,” he said.
For the high school students, the event offered a chance to give back to the community that has supported them. Senior football player Giovanni Tarasi said he was excited to connect with a younger generation and even some familiar faces.
“My little cousin was here, so it was awesome talking to her and all of her friends,” Tarasi said. “It’s great to give back to the community. It’s what we do. Massapequa is very tight-knit and we build one another up.”
Senior football player Dylan Milio found himself on the other side of the admiration he once had for older students.
“We were once in these little kids’ shoes, doing football camps and working with the high schoolers," Milio said, "so this feels a little full circle and it’s really cool to be in this position.”
After his game-winning catch in Massapequa’s thrilling win on Sept. 28 that snapped Garden City's 68-game winning streak, Milio has become a bit of a local celebrity.
“Some kids even asked me for my autograph on a bookmark, which was so awesome,” he said.
The Massapequa football players and cheerleaders spend the evening under the lights reading to younger children on Oct. 5, 2026 at Massapequa High School. Credit: Dawn McCormick
Cheerleading sisters Mikaela and Valentina Lally also participated, giving them a chance to connect with students outside of their usual school activities.
“It was really amazing reading to all the kids and just spending time with them in general,” Mikaela said.
“It was great because we got to connect with the younger kids, read to them and just give them an experience they might not have had before,” Valentina said. “We all show up for each other and try to make the community better.”
That sense of togetherness was exactly what Jessica Shippos hoped the evening would create. With football players, cheerleaders, the pep band, teachers, administrators and elementary students all sharing the field, she said the event showed what makes Massapequa special.
And, if all goes according to plan, Shippos said “Reading Under the Lights” will be an event that takes place for years to come.
“I couldn’t be prouder of the turnout,” Shippos said. “It just goes to show that Massapequa is more than a community, it’s really a family.”
Tess Ferguson is a reporter on Newsday's high school sports staff. She joined the team after graduating with a journalism degree from Ithaca College in 2025.
