MELVILLE, N.Y. - Canon Solutions America, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Canon U.S.A., Inc., today announced an expansion to its lauded Future Authors Project with the unveiling of Sweet and Savory Serendipity, the first edition of Jericho School District student and faculty-penned stories as part of the community enrichment program. This year's expansion was highlighted by a book signing at the Jericho High School that preceded the district's Board of Education Meeting on October 17, 2017. The welcome reception and book signing with the talented young authors demonstrated the extraordinary impact digital book printing and the written word continues to have on both students and teachers alike, and served as an introduction to the valued nexus between Canon Solutions America and the Jericho School District.

The inaugural Jericho book signing event brought together the 13 students who participated in the program, their families and friends, and each of the teachers who put their heart – and words – into the invaluable program. Following the celebratory welcome reception, Daniel Salzman, Curriculum Associate of English Language Arts at Jericho High School, gave a rousing presentation on the program before Board of Education members, Jericho Superintendent Hank Grishman, and even County Legislator Arnold Drucker.

"This was a night of celebration and acknowledgment of our great student authors who embody the spirit of Future Ready education," said Salzman. "We couldn't be prouder of the hard work and concerted effort put forth into this beneficial program. It's been a privilege working alongside Canon Solutions America and we look forward to creating more memories (and books) in the future."

Over 10 years ago, the Future Authors Project began as a community outreach program by Canon Solutions America's predecessor, Océ North America. Designed to stimulate young minds and inspire middle and high school students to consider careers in writing and publishing, the program has grown exponentially over the last decade and continues to embody what an effective collaboration between two leading institutions can be. With the addition of Jericho School District, Canon Solutions America has joined forces with one of the lighthouse districts in all of New York, and as such collaborated with some of the most forward-thinking students and faculty members in the state.

The Jericho chapter began with a summer program in 2017 that brought together impassioned students and English teachers from the district for a week-long collaborative and interactive workshop that provided the students with insight into the process of writing and editing. English teacher Suzanne Valenza selected the theme of food for the inaugural Jericho District edition. Additionally, the participating students took part in a field trip to the Canon America's Headquarters where they enjoyed a tour of the showroom and a camera instructional class. As part of the instructional camera class, the students were provided with use of cutting-edge cameras as a way to provide vivid photography with their writing and complement their stories with compelling visuals.

"The choice of food as a theme came from my own love of the food memoir genre, along with its ability to inherently connect people and inspire conversation," said Valenza. "The combination of our dynamic workshop, which helped spur story development ideas and critical thinking skills, with the cameras provided by Canon, helped truly bring these great stories centered on food to life."

The program, which began in the School District of Palm Beach County, Florida, exemplifies Canon Solutions America's appreciation of the printed, tangible piece and the importance it still has today in our digital society. As such, the company is thrilled that the Jericho School District embarked on this journey to provide students of all ages the opportunity to be a part of something bigger and become true, published authors.