PANAMA CITY — The annual reading event makes 10-year-old Jacob Ross want to read more.
“People come from different parts of their work to read to us,” Jacob said. “It makes me want to read more.”
Northside Elementary School wrapped up its two-day annual Celebrity Reader event Friday. In honor of the late Dr. Seuss’ birthday, the school invited 65 local professionals to read to classes.
“It really ignites the students because we bring so many different walks of life that it really just excites them,” said Jennifer Kasztalen, a kindergarten teacher who organizes the event.
From writers to illusionists to crime scene investigation specialists, students were exposed to readers from diverse occupations.
Senior chief Navy diver Rob Moran read to a fourth grade class. He views the event as good for the military.
“We’re recruiting the future soldiers, sailors and marines,” he said. “And if they have a positive impression of us at a young age, when they get older, hopefully they’ll maintain that positive impression, whether they join or not.”
An excited Jacob escorted the diver to a fourth grade classroom. Moran was the third celebrity reader for the class in the two-day event. He said he looks forward to the event every year.
Kasztalen said the event inspires the students.
“The students love it. They talk about it for weeks, months after the event,” Kasztalen said. “We want our kids to stay in school, go the distance, so that they, too, can be successful like our community leaders.”