Cosgrove Middle School students in Spencerport recently heard Aaron Costa from KRUDCO Skates talk about how he turned a hobby into a business.

Cosgrove Middle School students in Spencerport listened closely as Aaron Costa of KRUDCO Skates talked to them about "skateboarding as a lifestyle." In his presentation to Cheryl Curtis's Academic Intervention Services reading class in the library on November 15, he spoke about how he has turned his hobby into a successful business and about his role as a local businessperson involved in the community. The class is engaged in a special library research project on the topic of Extreme Sports.

This lesson supports the state standards for English Language Arts, including the standards on "Listening and Reading" and "Speaking and Writing" for information and understanding. Curtis was initially attracted to the research topic of extreme sports because of their enormous appeal to middle school students. "Researching something that excites you enhances skills," she notes. Howard Enis, Cosgrove librarian, also appreciates the enthusiasm and was quick to agree, "Aaron Costa is a local legend and role model to these students. He's like the E. F. Hutton of skateboarding, when Costa talks kids listen!"

After the library classroom presentation, Costa and one of his semi-pro athlete associates gave a demonstration of skateboarding technique and skills to the students in the Cosgrove gymnasium.