Read Across America Day at Saint Francis Xavier School

Courtesy of Saint Francis Xavier Regional School

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A 7th grader at Saint Francis Xavier Regional School reads to a group of 1st-graders on Read Across America Day.

KEARNS — Teachers and students at St. Francis Xavier Regional School celebrated Read Across America Day, a day when readers across the country celebrate Theodor Seuss Geisel, otherwise known as Dr. Seuss. It is a day pledged to reading, while honoring a man who has made an important contribution to teaching children to read.

This year marks the 14th annual celebration of reading and tribute to Dr. Seuss. Fellow community members were invited to put aside the many hats they wear for work and play and put on the ultimate reading hat, the red-and-white striped stovepipe made famous by the Cat in the Hat. There is something powerful about a local leader from our community, grandparent, parent, sports figure, or television personality, sitting down and sharing their love for reading with children.

Readers who shared their love for reading while visiting with the students during this special celebration included John Holenhorst, Sandra Yi, Margaret Neville, Steve Klauke, Junie Barry, Lorna Foley, Deputy Mayor Nichole Dunn, Sally Coe, Carolyn Wilde, Leslee Rendon, Thelxy Hauenstein and Jason from Monkey Feathers Publishing. Readers Theater was presented by members of the student council and included Austin Candelario, Catarina Chacon, Hailey and Madeline Smith, Erin Stella and Marcela Vasques. Other student readers included, Jose Rivera, Molly Keifer, Sydnie Burningham, Tristan Larsen, Devin Cook, Justin Potter, Amy Cremer, Erin Killion and Andrea Castro.

Three teams from the Intermountain Therapy Animals also joined the celebration. The Reading Education Assistance Dogs (R.E.A.D.) program improves children’s reading and communication skills by employing a powerful method: reading to a dog. But not just any dog. R.E.A.D. dogs are registered therapy animals who volunteer with their owner/handlers as a team, going to schools, libraries and many other settings as reading companions for children. It was a special treat for the students to spend time with these beautiful dogs and their trainers.

Bringing students and books together, that is the ultimate goal and Read Across America does just that. Dr. Seuss said it himself, "You’re never too old, too wacky, too wild, to pick up a book and read to a child."