Elementary students ‘Read Across America’ with Alaska dignitaries

WASILLA — Machetanz Elementary School students got a special visit from First Lady of Alaska Donna Walker and Wasilla Mayor Bert Cottle last week in celebration of the national “Read Across America” campaign — and Dr. Seuss’s birthday.

According to the organization’s website, Read Across America is a National Education Association program that focuses on “motivating children and teens to read through events, partnerships, and reading resources.”

Though Seuss’s birthday was on a Wednesday this year, Machetanz principal Jen Dowd said the school chose to celebrate all week, giving students time to participate in more reading-centric events and really take it all in. First-grade students, for example, were able to travel to Talkeetna by train and participate in multiple reading related activities en route and in town last week.

On Friday, Walker, Cottle and other adults from the community (such as Mat-Su Borough School District board member Debbie Retherford) went from classroom to classroom to round out the week of celebration. Students and readers alike showed their spirit for the occasion with themed costumes and vibrantly colored hair.

Walker said it had been a long while since she last picked up a Seuss book, but rattled off rhymes from “The Cat in the Hat” as if she’d had it down pat prior to the event.

“I did read them a lot to my kids and grandkids,” she said.

Walker said reading is the first thing she asks about when she goes into a school — which she said she does as often as she can — and tries to visit any place she’s invited.

Contact reporter Caitlin Skvorc at 352-2268 or email caitlin.skvorc@frontiersman.com