Mother Seton School Celebrates Second Annual “Read Across America Day” with Community and Civic Leaders

March 2, Dr. Seuss’s birthday, has been designated Read Across America Day to promote childhood literacy. Last year, Mother Seton School held its first Read Across America Day at school with great success, and this year, the tradition continued at Mother Seton School.

Invited guests to this year’s event included Dr. Tim Trainor, president of Mount St. Mary’s University; Carla Brown, executive director of St. Joseph’s Ministries; Ned Remavege, private wealth fund manager and MSS alum; Deb Spalding, publisher of The Catoctin Banner newspaper; Lauren Schwarzmann, MSM Women’s Lacrosse coach; athletes from the Mount; and other area business and parish leaders. Each guest was assigned to a classroom and read a favorite Dr. Seuss book to students.

In addition to reading selected stories, guests answered questions and talked a little with each class. Dr. Trainor, who read Oh! The Places You’ll Go! to the eighth-grade class, spoke about his own diverse background and gave a motivational speech about the future the soon-to-be middle-school graduates had before them.

Frederick County Sheriff’s Deputies Theodore Mostoller and Louis Whitehead answered many excited questions about their jobs. “Not only were the kids great listeners, but they also asked really good questions at the end,” said Deputy Mostoller. Deputy Whitehouse agreed. “I believe the more positive interaction kids can get with the police, the better. For us (the police), specifically, this is a valuable opportunity for the police to build trust and have a fun thirty-minute interaction with a class,” he said. The students felt the same way. Middle School Language Arts teacher Amy Rarrick said her seventh graders loved the event. “They delighted in having a sheriff read to them, and appreciated the time he took to answer their questions about his career, education, and life experiences.”

Lauren Schwarzmann, who read Hunches in Bunches to one of the fourth-grade classes, said participating in the Read Across America event was a rewarding experience. “The opportunity to give back through reading, while empowering the students to dream big and follow their dreams, is something I will cherish,” she said. Tammy Wivell, who read Fox in Socks to her granddaughter’s Kindergarten class, was also grateful for her experience. “I really enjoyed being part of this event. MSS has been a part of my life for the past twenty-five years, and the day was extra special because I was able to share my love of reading with granddaughter, Lexi, and her friends.”

“Our Read Across America event is a wonderful opportunity to bring our students together with community and business leaders to explore careers and goal setting, as well as being enriched and having fun with our favorite childhood books by Dr. Seuss,” said Sister Brenda Monahan, D.C., MSS principal. “It’s important for our school to provide opportunities like this to encourage our students to build a love for reading and to demonstrate that we are all life-long learners, no matter the path we take in life.”

Mother Seton School invited area business and civic leaders to participate in their second annual Read Across America event on March 2, 2017. Pictured from left are: Theodore Mostoller, Frederick County Deputy Sheriff; Louis Whitehead, Frederick County Deputy Sheriff; Sister Brenda Monahan, D.C., MSS Principal; Terri Ziegler, retired MSS Learning Center Director; Katie Davis, PNC Bank; Lauren Schwarzmann, MSM Women’s Lacrosse Coach; Tammy Wivell, MSS grandparent; Sister Joan Corcoran, D.C., MSS Vice Principal; Ned Remavege, MSS ’61 and Private Wealth Fund Manager; (back) Mike Miller, Coordinator, SMAC Youth Group; Carla Brown, Executive Director St. Joseph’s Ministries; George Brenton, Campus Coordinator, Daughters of Charity; Bridget Bassler, Programs Coordinator, Seton Shrine; Dr. Tim Trainor, MSM President; Father Robert Malageski, Pastor, St. Mary’s Fairfield; Chase Boyle, MSM Track and Field Athlete; Kelly Maloney, MSM Lacrosse Athlete; and Deb Spalding, Publisher, The Catoctin Banner.