Twins Who Created Children's Picture Book: Commack Star Students

COMMACK, NY — Star Students are found in classrooms, on concert and theater stages and at debate lecterns, and out in the community doing good things to make life better for all of us.

Here at Patch, we've launched an initiative to help recognize Star Students, and we’re working to tell the stories of these outstanding kids to their neighbors.

This submission comes from Anne Marie Marrone Caliendo who nominated Graceann and Dominick (twins) of Commack. They are Anne Marie Marrone Caliendo's children.

Star local student’s name

Graceann and Dominick (twins)

Star local student’s home state

New York

How do you know the star local student?

They are my twins

Why do you believe the star local student should be recognized?

My 16 year old twins have just authored (Dominick) and illustrated (Graceann) a children's picture book which captures Dominick's life with Tourette's Syndrome ... something he was diagnosed with at roughly 2 years old.

After more than a decade of trying to figure out a way to "normalize" Tourette's Syndrome for others and provide an impactful and meaningful educational platform for understanding what it is - but MORE importantly, what it ISN'T - we determined that the answer lay literally right in front of us .... in Dominick himself. The way he lived his life WAS the platform ... and the way his twin sister knew him best and could use her creative talents to bring the message to life was the answer!!

But because his incredible life's message needed to be spread so much wider than our little town of Commack, Long Island, we set out to capture him - and all his AWESOMENESS - in a children's picture book to share this message way beyond his home ... way beyond his friend group .... way beyond his classrooms ... and way beyond his school.

Dominick and Graceann are accomplishing that, literally, right now. They have just published a FABULOUS, heart-warming, adorable story told in the first person from Dominick's point of view that resonates with young and old alike. And, best of all, the message is NOT just about Tourettes ... it's a story of recognition and resilience REGARDLESS of the burden someone is carrying ... The book's message is one which the world needs right now.

These two Commack High School students deserve this recognition for the journey they have traveled together and the wildly amazing way they have been able to capture in their children's picture book such a simple, relatable, important message which has already made a huge difference and will continue to as the book reaches more and more people!!!

The name of the book is: "They Call Me Names" ... but don't come to the wrong conclusion about the book based on the title alone!! It's a fabulous, fun, heartwarming, uplifting message from one incredibly amazing kid and his awesome twin sister who so perfectly captured Dominick in every illustration on every page in the book!!! Check out the reviews already coming in on Amazon ... they speak volumes!!! I am a gushingly proud mom who believes these two kids literally embody what a "star student" is!!

What's one thing you want everyone to know about the star local student?

Recognizing Dominick and Graceann serves to recognize all those youngsters who haven't yet found their voice to be known for WHO THEY ARE and not the burdens they carry...

Congratulations on your achievements, and all of our best wishes to you in the future, Graceann and Dominick!

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