Dr. Seuess taught us about the best places to eat green eggs and ham and what to do on a rainy day and today, students across the country celebrate what would be his 110th birthday if the late author was still living.
To commemorate the day, the Mavericks READ program will celebrate in a very special way. Volunteers will read books to children (as quiet as a mouse, as Seuss would have wanted) right here at Minnesota State, in Myers Field House.
The Dr. Seuss Birthday Celebration will be held Friday as part of an annual program to encourage literacy in children. The birthday celebration will run from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mavericks READ coordinator Mymique Baxter will be in charge for her third-straight year.
"When I started, volunteers would go out to schools to read to the children," said Baxter. "I thought it would be easier to bring the kids to us."
To do that, Baxter sent invitations to schools that then turned the event into a field trip for students. Last year 750 kids attended the event. Baxter said only 500 children are expected this year because of budget constraints in the school district. However many children attend, they are part of a much larger program nationwide.
The idea to celebrate Dr. Seuss' birthday was proposed in 1997 by the National Education Association (NEA). A task force created the "Read Across America" program in an effort to create awareness of the importance of reading for children. Since the program started, organizations like Mavericks READ and corporations like Target have created similar programs across the country.
Reading books to children isn't all that's involved, as Rachel Kruger attested to. Kruger, a MSU senior majoring in psychology, volunteered at the birthday event in 2009 and doesn't remember if she even read a book.
"I helped with crafts and floated from station to station making sure supplies and volunteers were ready for each new group of children," Kruger said. "They really seem to enjoy the Dr. Seuss books and crafts that go along with each story. Their excitement is contagious."
Kruger is just one of several volunteers who reach out to young people through Mavericks READ. According to the MSU Web site, Mavericks READ is "designed to engage college students, community partners, parents, and children in a literacy program dedicated to development of children pre-kindergarten through third grade in language, literacy, social and motivational skills."
Baxter coordinates student volunteers to go to places such as schools and the YMCA in an endeavor to reach the program's goals. Eventually, Baxter would like to have an after-school program where students pair up one-on-one with kids who need help with reading and reaching literary goals. While doing this, not only will children benefit, but the volunteers will as well. This sentiment was echoed by Kruger.
"I love working with kids. I like to see them enjoy learning, and their energy makes them fun to be around," Kruger said. "It's always nice to stop playing the part of a college student and be a kid again. You can learn a lot from them, especially at an event like this."
Adam Pulchinski is a Reporter staff writer
Be the first to comment on this article!