APSO members bring fun to students by celebrating Read Across America

By: Donna Cope

For nearly two decades, members of the Alabama Power Service Organization (APSO) have helped bring the joy of reading to classrooms across the state through their participation in Read Across America.

The annual initiative, which coincides with Dr. Seuss’s March 2 birthday and often extends into April, reaches kindergarten through fourth-grade students and encourages a lifelong love of books.

Members of the APSO E.C. Gaston Chapter got into character by dressing as the Cat in the Hat and Thing 1 and Thing 2 while reading at A.H. Watwood, B.B. Comer Elementary schools and Coosa Valley Academy.

“It’s a lot of fun and the kids love it,” said Gaston Power Generation Analyst Jessica Kennedy. “It’s a lot of work, but it means so much to the kids.” Kennedy said one child, enthralled by the Cat in the Hat, followed the character around.

Plant Billingsley and Plant Central Alabama were among APSO E.C. Gaston Chapter readers including Valencia Boyd, Amy Calloway, Jeff Fleming, Tarance Gardner, Tabetha Lemonds, Jason Mandrell, Jeff McCord, Zach Oliver, Danielle Tomlin, Jocelyn Vigneulle, Jodi Webb, Melissa Williamson and Kennedy.

Volunteers from the APSO Plant Miller Chapter read to students at Cordova, Sumiton, Valley and West Jefferson Elementary schools. Chapter President Dion Oliver said members enjoy children’s responses during storytelling.

“It’s so much fun seeing the reaction we get from students,” said Oliver, a condition-based maintenance specialist and a community youth coach for baseball, basketball and football. APSO Plant Miller readers included Renell Barger, Terri Black, Savana Blackburn, Rachel Edgil, Chris Goodman, Blayke Handley, Tara Harris, Natasha Kilpatrick, Andrew Lawhorn, Mickey Mooney, Oliver, Wendy Robertson, Candi Robinson, Mary Pat Turner and Michele Willoughby.

APSO Western Division Chapter members also shared stories at schools in their area: Leah Banks; Wendy Dobbs, Maddox Intermediate; Elanie Fetzer, Westside Elementary; Brody Gurganus, Oakman Elementary; and Jenna Madison, Huntington Elementary.

Jennifer Adkinson from the APSO Southeast-Farley Chapter read at Webb Elementary School with her daughter Faith Alligood. An APSO youth volunteer, Alligood also read at Rehobeth Elementary and Primary schools in Dothan. Brittany Killingsworth read at Headland Elementary and Lakeisha Russaw read at Phenix City Elementary.

Stevi Gandy, community development specialist in Tuscaloosa, said APSO Western Division members read at several area schools: Leah Banks, York West End Jr. High; Karen Burklew, Huntington Elementary; Wendy Dobbs, Maddox Intermediate; Elanie Fetzer, Westside Elementary; Stevi Gandy, Moundville Elementary; Brody Gurganus, Oakman Elementary; and Jenna Madison, Huntington Elementary.

APSO Mobile Division Chapter members Erin Delaporte, Brittany Dinc, Ryan Howard, Adrienne Johnson, Sonja North, Jeff Schmitz and Erica Wells read at Mobile-area elementary schools.

According to APSO Eastern Division Chapter President Stephanie Mitchell, more than 40 chapter members read at several elementary schools: Dana McFarland and Patricia Tripplett – Ohatchee Elementary; Heriberto Brito, Carl Hill, Elizaberh Green, Tyler James, Kristina Love, Danita Mascarenas, Colin Robertson, Tammy Williams and Arnita Woodall – Pell City, Ashville and Steele; Michael Barber, Helen, Sean and Trent Dean, Will Freeman and Jerry Treadwell at Cleburne County: LaToya Zackery and Mitchell at Weaver Elementary; Keisha, Vanasia and Vonquel Chapman, Roger Lynch and Kiyunda Smoot at Talladega; Lisa Colley, Cody Edmondson, Adam Hanvey, Leah Holloway, Tarrica K. Jones, Candace Simpson, Brandi Sullivan, Coy Thomas, Breanna Walker, Kirby Welsh and Crystal White at Clay County/Roanoke; and Allye Buttram, Jessica Cech, Tchkandice Cunningham, Steve Marlowe, Khalil Pope and Blake Teal at Oak Grove.

APSO efforts will continue into April with Magic City Chapter members reading to children at the Harris Early Learning Center in Birmingham to celebrate the Week of the Young Child.