USM Hosts Third Edition of Sint Maarten Reading Festival
September 26, 2026
USM proudly hosted the third Sint Maarten Reading Festival, welcoming school groups on the first day and the wider community on the second for two days of literacy, creativity, technology and interactive learning.
The University of St. Martin (USM) proudly hosted the third edition of the Sint Maarten Reading Festival, a two-day celebration of literacy, creativity, storytelling, technology and interactive learning.
The festival welcomed school groups on the first day, providing students with the opportunity to participate in a variety of structured reading and educational activities across the USM campus. The second day, Saturday, September 26, 2026, was open to the public, welcoming children, families and members of the wider community from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
Throughout the two days, classrooms, outdoor spaces and other areas of the University were used for activities designed to encourage reading, creativity and learning in fun and engaging ways.
The Sint Maarten Reading Festival was made possible through the collaboration of Stichting Biblionef Netherlands, Help Our Children Foundation, the Sint Maarten Library, 721 Kids Foundation, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth & Sport, and the University of St. Martin.
Bethzy Gianella Chiang, Director of Stichting Biblionef Netherlands and the main organizer of the festival, was present throughout the event, together with representatives, facilitators and volunteers from the various collaborating organizations.
The festival program featured a wide range of activities, including Book Dance, Detective, Reading Café, Meet the Author sessions, storytelling, drama, live music, games and creative workshops.
Participants were also able to enjoy steelpan experiences and workshops, arts and crafts, face painting, an open mic, a photo booth, inflatable games and other outdoor activities.
Technology was also incorporated into the festival, with sessions exploring Artificial Intelligence, including activities for beginners as well as more advanced participants.
USM Students, Alumni and Faculty Behind the Scenes
For USM, the Reading Festival provided more than an opportunity to host a community event. It also gave the University's education students, alumni, faculty and staff the opportunity to contribute directly to an initiative focused on children, literacy and learning.
Dean of General Liberal Arts and Education programs, Mrs. Juliana Shipley-Hodge led a reading workshop alongside Faculty member Claudia Connor and was also involved in various behind-the-scenes activities throughout the festival. Mrs. Shipley-Hodge coordinated USM alumni and Bachelor of Education students who served as workshop facilitators.
Among the facilitators were Bianca Joseph, a USM alumna, who led Arts & Craft; Yvonne Lazare, a Bachelor or Arts in Elementary Education student, who facilitated the Reading Café; Casandra Richardson, a USM alumna, who led Book Dance; and Ingrid Simon, a Bachelor or Arts in Elementary Education student, who facilitated Detective.
Mrs. Marva Sam-Arrindell UVI@USM Administrator organized the festival's drama production with the support and participation of her students, providing another opportunity for students to use creativity and performance as part of the learning experience.
USM also supported the coordination of volunteers throughout the festival, with Raeann Ford serving as Volunteer Coordinator and helping to support the many activities taking place across the campus.
Learning Beyond the Classroom
The participation of USM's education students gave them an opportunity to gain practical experience outside of the traditional classroom while engaging directly with children, families and the wider community.
Their involvement demonstrated how teacher preparation can extend beyond theory and coursework. Events such as the Reading Festival allow future educators to practise communication and facilitation skills, observe how children respond to different approaches to learning, and experience firsthand how literacy can be encouraged through reading, creativity, play, music, technology and the arts.
The festival also highlighted the continued connection between USM and its alumni, with former students returning to contribute their knowledge and skills to an educational initiative benefiting the community.
For USM, hosting the Reading Festival reflects the University's commitment to supporting initiatives that promote literacy, education, culture, youth development and lifelong learning.
Across both days, children, educators, families, facilitators and community partners had the opportunity to experience learning in a variety of ways. From books and storytelling to drama, music, art, games and emerging technology, the festival demonstrated that literacy can extend far beyond simply opening a book.
The University of St. Martin was pleased to host the third Sint Maarten Reading Festival and to see its students, faculty, staff and alumni actively contributing to its success.
USM congratulates Stichting Biblionef Netherlands, Help Our Children Foundation, the Sint Maarten Library, 721 Kids Foundation, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth & Sport, as well as the organizers, presenters, facilitators, volunteers, participating schools, families and community members who contributed to making the 2026 Sint Maarten Reading Festival a successful two-day celebration of reading and learning.
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The festival welcomed school groups on the first day, providing students with the opportunity to participate in a variety of structured reading and educational activities across the USM campus. The second day, Saturday, September 26, 2026, was open to the public, welcoming children, families and members of the wider community from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
Throughout the two days, classrooms, outdoor spaces and other areas of the University were used for activities designed to encourage reading, creativity and learning in fun and engaging ways.
The Sint Maarten Reading Festival was made possible through the collaboration of Stichting Biblionef Netherlands, Help Our Children Foundation, the Sint Maarten Library, 721 Kids Foundation, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth & Sport, and the University of St. Martin.
Bethzy Gianella Chiang, Director of Stichting Biblionef Netherlands and the main organizer of the festival, was present throughout the event, together with representatives, facilitators and volunteers from the various collaborating organizations.
The festival program featured a wide range of activities, including Book Dance, Detective, Reading Café, Meet the Author sessions, storytelling, drama, live music, games and creative workshops.
Participants were also able to enjoy steelpan experiences and workshops, arts and crafts, face painting, an open mic, a photo booth, inflatable games and other outdoor activities.
Technology was also incorporated into the festival, with sessions exploring Artificial Intelligence, including activities for beginners as well as more advanced participants.
USM Students, Alumni and Faculty Behind the Scenes
For USM, the Reading Festival provided more than an opportunity to host a community event. It also gave the University's education students, alumni, faculty and staff the opportunity to contribute directly to an initiative focused on children, literacy and learning.
Dean of General Liberal Arts and Education programs, Mrs. Juliana Shipley-Hodge led a reading workshop alongside Faculty member Claudia Connor and was also involved in various behind-the-scenes activities throughout the festival. Mrs. Shipley-Hodge coordinated USM alumni and Bachelor of Education students who served as workshop facilitators.
Among the facilitators were Bianca Joseph, a USM alumna, who led Arts & Craft; Yvonne Lazare, a Bachelor or Arts in Elementary Education student, who facilitated the Reading Café; Casandra Richardson, a USM alumna, who led Book Dance; and Ingrid Simon, a Bachelor or Arts in Elementary Education student, who facilitated Detective.
Mrs. Marva Sam-Arrindell UVI@USM Administrator organized the festival's drama production with the support and participation of her students, providing another opportunity for students to use creativity and performance as part of the learning experience.
USM also supported the coordination of volunteers throughout the festival, with Raeann Ford serving as Volunteer Coordinator and helping to support the many activities taking place across the campus.
Learning Beyond the Classroom
The participation of USM's education students gave them an opportunity to gain practical experience outside of the traditional classroom while engaging directly with children, families and the wider community.
Their involvement demonstrated how teacher preparation can extend beyond theory and coursework. Events such as the Reading Festival allow future educators to practise communication and facilitation skills, observe how children respond to different approaches to learning, and experience firsthand how literacy can be encouraged through reading, creativity, play, music, technology and the arts.
The festival also highlighted the continued connection between USM and its alumni, with former students returning to contribute their knowledge and skills to an educational initiative benefiting the community.
For USM, hosting the Reading Festival reflects the University's commitment to supporting initiatives that promote literacy, education, culture, youth development and lifelong learning.
Across both days, children, educators, families, facilitators and community partners had the opportunity to experience learning in a variety of ways. From books and storytelling to drama, music, art, games and emerging technology, the festival demonstrated that literacy can extend far beyond simply opening a book.
The University of St. Martin was pleased to host the third Sint Maarten Reading Festival and to see its students, faculty, staff and alumni actively contributing to its success.
USM congratulates Stichting Biblionef Netherlands, Help Our Children Foundation, the Sint Maarten Library, 721 Kids Foundation, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth & Sport, as well as the organizers, presenters, facilitators, volunteers, participating schools, families and community members who contributed to making the 2026 Sint Maarten Reading Festival a successful two-day celebration of reading and learning.
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