Kilgore Gifted Center student publishes book

Israel Veney, a sixth grade student at Kilgore Gifted Center, has published a book, Buddy The Scorpion Who Saved The Town. The book is about a young scorpion named Buddy who must race against time to seek help from city leaders after a catastrophic event that threatens to destroy the town. 

Israel is fascinated with science, insects, and exploring the outdoors. He is passionate about keeping the planet safe. 

Israel’s mother, Cherie Veney, contributes a lot of her son’s success to one of his elementary teachers at Asbury Elementary School (she is now at Burbank Elementary School), Joy Tanner. She said Tanner challenged Israel and inspired him to write the book. She even encouraged him to work on the book after he finished his other work in class. 

Veney said Tanner identifies her students’ strengths and utilizes them to help them improve areas of weakness. She said she is dynamic, innovative, creative, and passionate about the field of education.

“Overall, the value of education has been instilled in Israel because of educators in the Hampton City School District,” said Cherie Veney. “Hampton City Schools is producing great students who are empowered to engage in a lifetime of learning.”