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Members from the U.S. Army 20th Chemical, Biological,
Radiological, Nuclear and Explosives Command along with the
Sheriff’s Department and other local agencies took time out of their
schedule to spend some reading time with children at the Churchville
Elementary School's during their Celebrity Reading Day on March 17,
2017.
The event is part of the school’s Reading Month
festivities.
U.S. Army Sgt. 1st. Class Edward Swiger, a 20-year veteran for
20th CBRNE, read to the children from two of his favorite books,
'Where the Wild Things Are' and the ‘FM 7-22’ also known as the
‘Army Physical Training Manual’.
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March 17, 2017 - U.S. Army Sgt. 1st. Class Edward Swiger, a 20-year
veteran for the 20th Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and
Explosives Command, reads to a class of 4th-graders from one of his
favorite books, the ‘FM 7-22’ also known as the ‘Army Physical
Training Manual’ how to do a correct sit-up during Celebrity Reading
Day at Churchville Elementary School. The event was part of the
school’s Reading Month festivities. (U.S. Army photo by Angel D.
Martinez-Navedo)
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Although they enjoyed the “wild things”, the little ones could
not control their emotions when Swiger started asking for volunteers
to perform a correct push-up and sit-up.
According to some of
the staff members, the children did not want the visitor to leave,
especially Swiger’s group of second-graders who were trying to avoid
a math test immediately after their reading session.
But not
just the children, the school’s staff seemed to enjoy the visitors’
effort too.
“Your coming to Celebrity Reader's Day at
Churchville Elementary was an awesome experience for the children
and staff,” said Linda Vecchio, paraeducator at Churchville. “Having
this community involvement shows the children all the wonderful
people that serve us every day. This also enlightens our students
for future jobs they may have an interest in pursuing.”
Even
Ms. Audrey Vohs, the school principal, who could not be there due to
previous commitments, seemed excited about the event.
“I really wish I would have been with you all,” said Vohs after
seeing some of the pictures of the event. “It looks like everyone
had a fantastic time.”
“We want students to have the
opportunity to see people from the community and other leaders as
readers,” Vohs said. “This day also gives students the chance to see
career opportunities and see reading as a lifelong habit,” she
added.
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March 17, 2017 - U.S. Army Sgt. 1st. Class Edward Swiger, a 20-year veteran for the 20th
Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosives Command,
and a group of 2nd-graders from Churchville Elementary School,
stretch after Swiger read to them one of his favorite books, the ‘FM
7-22’ also known as the ‘Army Physical Training Manual’ during
Celebrity Reading Day. The event was part of the school’s
Reading Month festivities. (U.S. Army photo by Angel D.
Martinez-Navedo)
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Sgt. Natasha Sims, a food inspector for the 1st Area
Medical Laboratory, was also scheduled to read that day in
the afternoon. And even though it was St. Patrick's Day, she
chose to read a book about Easter because her birthday falls
during the holiday this year.
"I read 'Happy Easter,
Curious George' to Miss Cristopher's
kindergarten class," said Simms. "The children were very
excited. Upon my arrival they told me how the leprechaun
came to their class and made a mess, and how they worked
very hard to clean it up. During the story, they were very
engaged with the reading and used the pictures to help try
to read with me. They even tried to guess what was going to
happen next."
After finishing the book, Sims
surprised the kindergarteners with Easter-themed Curious
George stickers, but the little ones surprised her back
guessing her age.
“Most of the kids thought I was turning 60," said in astonishment
the 30-year-old sergeant.
Simms kept bonding with the
children, and they even showed her their counting and alphabetical
skills. But the most memorable part for her was their excitement and
appreciation her being a 'girl' in the Army.
“I was told
that I was 'cool' for protecting our country,” Simms added.
Sgt. Simms can now stand at ease because it is one thing to be
“cool”, but it is even better to be kid-approved cool.
By U.S. Army Angel D. Martinez-Navedo
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2017
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