VEGUITA—What do a school superintendent, a funeral director, a college programs coordinator, a librarian, a graduate student, two retired educators/quilters, a retired counselor/chaplain and a retired Coast Guardsman all have in common?
They are all interested in helping the children in New Mexico discover the importance — and joy — of reading.
Rick Follett, left, and his wife, Betty, far right, meet with La Promesa Elementary Principal Cheri Montoya to discuss Read Across America.
On Wednesday, March 1, this group of folks visited La Promesa Elementary School in Veguita to have some fun with the students by reading stories to them in their classrooms. Since Read Across America is promoted each year in celebrations of Dr. Seuss’ birthday, Cheri Montoya, principal at La Promesa, invited some local folks from the Valencia and Socorro county area to be guest readers for her students.
Ten of those accepting the invitation took time from their personal schedules to take part. According to Belen Consolidated Schools Superintendent Lawrence Sanchez, it was “a blast!”
In addition to Sanchez, Belen Mayor Robert Noblin was on hand to share his love of reading. Others who joined in the festivities were Amanda Lewark (Socorro), Leah Tevis (Socorro), Sue Henington (Los Lunas), Carol Palmer (Belen), Annice Clark (Belen), Colleen Dovichin (Los Lunas), Renee Adams (Rio Communities) and Rick Follett (Los Lunas).
The two hours set aside for reading activities were broken into half-hour segments. Each of the guest readers chose whether to read one, two, three or four times. No matter the length of their reading experience that day, every one of the visitors said they had really enjoyed visiting with the children in their classrooms.
The comments received from the visiting adults lauded the faculty and staff at the school for their warm welcome to La Promesa that day. In return, the faculty complimented the readers on their enthusiasm and professionalism.
The day’s activities were organized by Betty Follett, a retired teacher and children’s librarian, someone who, with her husband’s support, has become an enthusiastic volunteer and supporter of La Promesa Elementary School over the past several months. The Folletts invite you to join with them in encouraging the children in New Mexico to “Read Across America” throughout the entire year.
The Valencia County News-Bulletin is a locally owned and operated community newspaper, dedicated to serving Valencia County since 1910 through the highest journalistic and professional business standards. The VCNB is published weekly on Thursdays, including holidays both in print and online.
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April 18, 2024
