Read Across America

By: Jazmin Crawford

Friday, February 28, a couple of our Senior Senators, accompanied by Mrs. Brown and Mrs. Boger, walked over to Brookside Elementary school to participate and read to their students for Read Across America Day. If you don’t know Read Across America was made in 1977 by the National Education Association to celebrate Dr. Seuss’s birthday on March 2. ​

Our seniors were very excited to read to the different grade levels in the school and were  given books by Ms. Brown to read to the students, each with the background story of love for this year's Read Across America Day. I spoke with two students in fifth grade, Jexidy and Eliza,  and asked them what their favorite book to read was and what they were looking forward to with the book they are going to be read by our seniors. They had stated “We enjoy reading the Harry Potter books.” Eliza then stated, “I want to know what the book today is about and if there is a lesson or a main idea in it like what we do in school to try and find new books.” ​

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I then had a talk with the principal, Mr. Crouch, and asked him more about what Brookside's take on Read Across America is and he stated, “Read Across America is a national holiday in which we dedicate it to literacy and all schools, not just elementary schools, you have an opportunity to promote literacy by inviting guest readers to come read to your students and promote just a love of reading and a love of books.” I told him how excited our seniors were to partake in the celebration of Read Across America and asked if his students were excited as well and if they were looking to be reading a certain book of choice. ​

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“Absolutely,” he had stated, “when it comes to reading it depends on the grade level. Pre-K, or kindergarten, and first grade they just love to be entertained; they love to be engaged in the story that takes them to a different place, because books, that’s the equalizer. You can go anywhere in the world any professional athlete or sports that you love, you can be the person for that particular time. I believe, honestly, maybe like the fourth or fifth graders they look forward to the seniors coming to read because they want to be like you in a couple years, so they ask you more advice about what highschool is like, what should I expect, so it’s really not about the book it’s really about getting to know the reader and your experience as a highschool senior.” 

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If you’re a junior wondering whether or not to take part in this opportunity next year I had interviewed Sherrel Nangoo, a senior who took part in this day, and asked her if she enjoyed the experience and if she would recommend it to someone else. “It was so much fun reading to them, it was so much fun. I felt like I learned a lot from them as well. And they asked so many different questions. I would definitely recommend it because it’s such a nice experience and it reminds you of your childhood and like how excited you were when someone would come and read a book to you and ask questions.” ​

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McMahon would love to thank the staff at Brookside Elementary school for allowing our Senators to take part in their Read Across America Day; thank you so much for the opportunity! ​