Hundreds converge on high school to celebrate reading
By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times
“Reading Across America” organizers Michele Ollis (left) and Traci Tury demonstrate one of the photo opportunities for participants.
Despite a heavy police presence, the mood was positively giddy Friday night at Coatesville Area Senior High School Friday, where hundreds of people of all ages gathered for the school district’s “Read Across America” program.
One youngster, after glimpsing a sea of blue inside one of the “celebrity” reading rooms, wasn’t sure he wanted to venture inside. “I don’t want to get arrested,” he whispered.
He had no reason to fear: The officers, who included Coatesville’s Rodger Ollis, Caln Township Sgt. Christine Cusick, and Coatesville Schools Officer Claire Lang, were far too busy trying to figure out which Dr. Seuss book they could read without risk of severe tongue-twisting.
Seven-year-old Faith Munn, a student at King’s Elementary, poses with Clifford, the big red dog.
“He took my book,” lamented West Caln Police Chief Curt Martinez as state Sen. Andy Dinniman plopped himself on the floor with a rapt, young audience and began reciting Hop on Pop.
“Get used to it. That’s what happens in Harrisburg,” quipped state Rep. Tim Hennessey, who was waiting to read Horton Hatches the Egg. “I picked this book because it matches my physique,” he joked later after Horton the elephant exclaimed: “I weigh a ton.”
Coatesville Police Sgt. James Audette said he also selected a title that resonated for him, I Am Not Going to Get Up Today. Don’t you sometimes feel that way, he asked with an impish grin? “I do.”
While waiting for his turn to read, Valley Township Police Chief Joseph Friel made sure that no other young visitors were intimidated by the uniforms: He handed out yellow rubber duckies – wearing police hats.
State Sen. Andy Dinniman presents a dramatic rendition of Dr. Seuss’ Hop on Pop. “We’re here because we like to read,” he said.
The energy in the reading room represented only a fraction of the hubbub throughout the elaborately decorated school, dominated by a Dr. Seuss motif. Replicas of book jackets and images from his signature rhymes dotted the walls; even the baked goods, such as a Lorax cupcake, paid homage.
The program, an offshoot of a national initiative, began in 1997 when the National Education Association (NEA) decided to create a day to celebrate reading in honor of one of children’s most beloved authors. Ever since, the event occurs on or near his March 2 birthday.
Participants were treated to a dizzying array of options. In addition to reading rooms with police, firefighters, and award-winning authors such as Linda Oatman High and Marty Crisp, crafts, coloring, face-painting and games abounded. Getting from one choice to another virtually guaranteed delays, however, as a host of delightful distractions lined every hallway.
Coatesville Police Chief Jack Laufer takes his turn reading. Seated on the floor with a youngster in her lap is his daughter, Lauren Laufer, who teaches in North Philadelphia.
Faith Munn, a 7-year-old King’s Elementary student, enjoyed posing for a photo with Clifford, the big red dog, one of several storybook characters working the crowd. “She loves this,” said her grandmother, Debbie Munn. She wasn’t alone.
Sandy Showalter, a retired teacher from Phoenixville, un-retired her Eeyore costume, a treat for fans of Winnie the Pooh. Showalter explained that she got pulled into the festivities because she volunteers at the King’s Elementary kindergarten class of her grandson, Hunter Shurak.
Another participant who got drafted by association was Lauren Laufer, the daughter of Jack Laufer, Coatesville’s new police chief. As her father read The Cat in the Hat Comes Back, Lauren Laufer, who teaches in North Philadelphia, sat on the floor surrounded by pint-sized reading enthusiasts, one of whom decided that the most comfortable seat was Lauren Laufer’s lap.
Kevin Fitzpatrick of West Chester demonstrates his juggling skills to an appreciative audience. Displayed on the glass wall behind him are the names of the event’s numerous sponsors.
Outside the reading rooms, Kevin Fitzpatrick, a juggler from West Chester, captivated a small, wide-eyed crowd. Nearby, another group gathered as storyteller Deb Pieri launched into a mesmerizing tale. And across the hall, a pocket of participants congregated in the auditorium, where Dr. Seuss movies were displayed.
“I love seeing everyone having such a good time,” said Traci Tury, who co-chaired the event with Michele Ollis, a fellow teacher in the district. “It’s super exciting to see it flourishing.”
Both teachers acknowledged that the two-hour program requires extra work that far surpasses Horton the elephant’s weight of a ton, but the results justified it. They said they were grateful for the assistance they received from multiple sources, including the school district, the Coatesville Community Education Foundation, the Coatesville Library, the city’s Parks and Recreation Commission, Chester County Futures, the ROTC, and dozens of individuals.
Chaya Scott (right), who heads the Coatesville Youth Initiative, is surrounded by enthusiastic program participants: Samaria Turner (from left), 15; Scott’s son, Amon Scott Hicks, 9; and Nelson Negron, 14.
“It was a very successful event,” said John Hall, vice president of the Coatesville Community Education Foundation. He presided over a display of the foundation’s literature, answering parents’ questions about some of the student programs the foundation sponsors.
Tury said the “Reading Across America” event gets funding from a variety of sources, including grants and a district dress-down day sponsored by the teachers’ union. She said organizers hoped to distribute any money raised, such as through the raffles of more than 20 gift baskets, to the Coatesville Library, the Coatesville Community Education Program, and Chester County Futures, all of which promote youth programs.
“This is a wonderful event,” said Patty Andrey, who attended with her husband, Art, and two children: Allison, 9, and Stephen, 6. “The district is really to be commended for the work, the planning, and the organization. There’s something for everyone. Not only does it promote reading, but it’s a nice family event as well as a community event.”
Andrey said she thought the 2013 program exceeded last year’s. “It keeps getting better,” she said.
Another parent, Nolan Meeks, smiled as he watched his 4-year-old daughter, Alani, select a new, free book and hand-crafted bookmark from an array of titles arranged on a long table near the exit. “This is a great way to encourage reading,” he said, adding that Alani was just starting.
