Soldiers Celebrate Read Across America Day with Local Students

Photo By Zachary Mott | Sergeant Robert Clark, center, uses a pirate voice to read One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish to a group of first grade students at the Lawrence-Lawson Elementary School in Sparta, Wisconsin, during the annual Read Across America Day, March 2. Clark said he likes to use difference voices to, "throw a bit of silliness into the mix" when reading to either his four children or these students. Staff Sgt. Nicholas Gimson, left, and Sgt. 1st Class Arianna Joe also participated in the Read Across America event.  

SPARTA, WI, UNITED STATES

03.02.2017

Story by Zachary Mott 

88th Readiness Division

SPARTA, Wisconsin (March 3, 2017) – With Dr. Seuss books tucked firmly in hand, Soldiers from the 88th Regional Support Command joined students from the Lawrence-Lawson Elementary School in commemorating Seuss’ birthday and Read Across America Day, March 2.
Three Soldiers, Sgt. 1st Class Arianna Joe, Staff Sgt. Nicholas Gimson and Sgt. Robert Clark along with Hayley Strand, a command specialist with the 88th RSC, visited four classrooms at the Sparta, Wisconsin, elementary school to share their love of reading and to challenge the students in a bit of Army physical training. Specifically, a push up contest.
For Clark, who is a chaplain’s assistant with the 88th RSC and a father of four children, reading with the elementary school students was a chance for him to flex his pirate reading voice.
“Having four children of my own, I see the joy that washes over their faces when stories are read to them especially when you're able to throw a bit of silliness into the mix,” he said. Clark read Seuss’ One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish to a group of first graders using his best pirate voice.
“Read Across America Day is a national initiative,” Strand said, “that Army Reserve Child and Youth Services takes part in to encourage literacy in youth throughout the United States.”
This event allows the Soldiers a chance to interact with children in the local schools and share some of their experiences with them as well.
“This is a great way to increase visibility of the military in this area and create bonds between the post and the local community,” Strand said.
After each reading session, the Soldiers answered a variety of questions from the Kindergarten through third graders. Once the Soldiers exhausted the children’s curiosity it was time to exhaust them physically with a push up contest.
“Those kids were amazing to be around. The amount of excitement and energy they demonstrated throughout the entire process was truly motivating,” Clark said.
This is at least the third year that Soldiers from the 88th RSC participated in reading to students at Lawrence-Lawson Elementary. It’s something Strand and the Soldiers hope continues as well.
“This was my first experience with this event, but I had an absolute blast and look forward to helping next year,” Clark said.

• Date Taken: 03.02.2017
• Date Posted: 03.03.2017 11:30
• Story ID: 225582
• Location: SPARTA, WI, US