Way to Go! Miller Place teen buys backpacks for students

A Miller Place teen recently used her own money to purchase backpacks for children in the Wyandanch School District.

Kinley Simmons, a sophomore at the Connecticut college-preparatory school Miss Porter’s School, dipped into her savings this summer to buy 20 backpacks for students in need. The backpacks were filled with school supplies donated by the United Way of Long Island.

“Education has been something that I’ve been passionate about really my entire life,” said Simmons. “If there’s a kid who I know is in need of something, then I just feel really strongly about making sure that they have everything they need to have the same chance of succeeding as somebody else whose parents are able to provide them with backpacks.”

Simmons, who was 14 when she purchased the backpacks, said she was inspired to do so after realizing that a local organization that had previously donated to the district would be sending the items elsewhere this year.

“I figured that if I could donate the backpacks on my own that would still be helping the children,” Simmons said.

Simmons is peer tutor and a member of her school’s basketball, track, cross country and mock trial teams. She also debates through the American Debate League, is a member of the Girl Scouts of the USA, and is involved in a youth movement against the tobacco industry called Reality Check.

 — MICHAEL R. EBERT