Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) partnered with Douglass Park Elementary School and James Hurst Elementary School in Portsmouth, Virginia for the annual Read Across America Day March 1.

Read Across America Day, an observance on the school day closest to the anniversary of Dr. Seuss' birthday, is part of a year-long program focused on motivating children and teens to read. The program is led by the National Education Association (NEA), its focus on building a nation of readers one story at a time.

Thirty-seven civilian and military volunteers from NNSY traveled to Douglass Park and James Hurst to meet with students of varying grades and read Dr. Seuss books to them, whether it be a favorite from the reader’s childhood or simply a book from the author’s expansive collection.

It was the fourth year NNSY supported this event at Douglass Park and the first year attending James Hurst.

“Read Across America is an excellent opportunity for us at America’s Shipyard to give back to the youth of our community,” said NNSY Outreach Coordinator Valerie Fulwood. “We are helping to mold the minds of the future and it’s a wonderful time for the students and for our volunteers. It’s a fun experience for all and we are so happy we got to expand our reach even further this year with James Hurst Elementary.”

Many of the shipyard volunteers are also involved with NNSY’s Tutoring and Mentorship Program, an annual effort for the shipyard to engage with local schools in the community.  Several volunteers attend the schools twice a week to aid the students in mathematics and reading.

Shop 67 Fourth year Electronics Apprentice Angel Eure has been participating in the tutoring program at NNSY for three years and recently accepted the title of Champion for James Hurst. “I spend time out of each week working with the second graders here in mathematics and each moment has been special to me. The kids are so excited to see us and interact with us and seeing them progress throughout the year is amazing. Getting to do these things like Read Across America is wonderful and it helps instill that love of reading in the younger generation.”

Assistant Project Superintendent and member of the Naval Civilian Managers Association John Satcher jumped at the opportunity to read to the students. “As an avid reader and understanding the educational foundation that reading can provide I think it is paramount to instill in our children the love of the written language,” he said. “NNSY is a phenomenal place of employment but like most things in life, you only get out what you invest. Sure, you can sit on the sidelines and go through the motions but you will be cheating yourself out of some of the most incredible and rewarding experiences. Taking to time to give back, to reach others on a personal level, to share your experiences and knowledge, to hopefully fuel a passion in our youth for the love of reading is a gift that can pay lifelong dividends. I get as much or more out of these experiences than they do and if I can touch just one child then it was well worth the effort.”

To learn more about Read Across America Day, visit http://www.nea.org/grants/886.htm.

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