PEC celebrates Read Across America Day
Co-op teams up with community icons to inspire area students
Each year, PEC employees look forward to visiting schools on National Read Across America Day to read aloud for classrooms and promote a love for literacy among the co-op’s youngest members. The event, which was held March 2, is the nation’s largest celebration of reading, founded by the National Education Association.
PEC knows it takes many positive role models to help just one student learn and grow. That’s why for this year’s festivities, the co-op also teamed up with recognizable community figures, inviting local icons to read their favorite book on camera.
“We’re proud to partner with familiar faces who kids across the Texas Hill Country may recognize from their hometowns, neighborhoods, and even TV,” said Celeste Mikeska, PEC senior community outreach specialist. “Together, we can continue to enrich our communities by inspiring young students to learn the power of reading.”
The videos, which have also been shared with members, educators, after-school programs, and libraries, include the following “celebrity” readers:
- Kristen Currie, KXAN Meteorologist, reading, “The Wonder of Thunder” by Sharon Purtill
- Christine Delisle, City of Leander mayor, reading, “The Little House” by Virginia Lee Burton
- Coleman Peavy, Lake Travis Fire Rescue firefighter, reading, “Fire! Fuego! Brave Bomberos” by Susan Middleton Elya
- Vanessa Roeder, local children’s book author, reading her book, “The Box Turtle”
- Julie C. Parsley, PEC CEO, reading, “The Most Magnificent Thing” by Ashley Spires
Share a story with the young ones in your life! Our Read Across America videos are below. PEC’s involvement in National Read Across America Day is just one example of the cooperative difference at work. For more ways PEC cares for our communities, visit pec.coop/community.