Read-a-thon was a real page turner for local students

RANDOLPH — Randolph Elementary participated in a variety of literary activities all week for National Read Across America Day, culminating in a Read-a-thon sponsored by the Randolph Elementary Friends (REF).

As part of the Read-a-thon, students collected donations to sponsor their reading time. A total of $1,702 was raised for REF which will be used for teacher recognition and student field trip support.

As a result of meeting fundraising goals, students were rewarded by duct-taping PE Teacher Eric Brown to the wall and sending Principal Mary Miller to the roof for the afternoon.

Dr. Suess’s most famous character Cat in the Hat, played by First-grade Teacher Catrina Winkelbauer, visited and handed out bookmarks as a special reward to students for far surpassing the goal of raising $1,000.

Third-grader Carson Schulz was recognized for raising the most money individually.

For the Read-a-thon, students were split into groups to enjoy special activities including reading by flashlight and being read to by “celebrity” readers from the community including Fire Chief Jim Scott; Bill Fye of Jim’s Food Center; City Administrator Ben Benton; Librarian Peggy Leiting; School Board Members Sandy Owens and Paul Schmit; Jenny Dickes of the Air Guard; High School Principal Brandi Bartels, and Randolph Times News Reporter Trisha Benton.

Students and staff were encouraged to dress in literary themes all week including superheroes, favorite literary character, college gear and clothing that needed to be read (with special sayings).