LUDOWICI — Recently, the media center at Smiley Elementary School celebrated reading and honored Dr. Seuss with their Read Across America celebration.
Dr. Seuss, the pen name for author/illustrator Theodor Geisel was born on March 2, 1904, and is known for his children’s books.
The celebration was a week of activities for students, beginning on Monday with the book of the day being “The Cat in the Hat.” Each student could wear a hat representing the job they want when they grow up.
On Tuesday the book “Whacky Wednesday” and each student dressed up in whacky clothes.
On Wednesday, the book “Oh the Places You’ll Go” and the kids dressed in camouflage and were able to wear camouflage hats.
On Thursday, the book was “I am Not Going To Get Up Today” and students brought in their favorite stuffed animals dressed as a character from one of Geisel’s books.
The week concluded with “Green Eggs and Ham,” and students had them for breakfast. Students also got to parade around the school in a hat parade later that afternoon.
In addition to these activities, each day volunteers with different vocations came in and read a Dr. Seuss book and then told the students about what type of job they worked at.

Volunteers readers included Ludowici First Baptist Church Pastor Eric Rentz, Ludowici Police officer Diane Duncan, Hinesville Fire Department firefighter Mike Riddle, Long County Tax Commissioner Becky Fowler and Kadee’s Korner painter Kadee Dasher.
Duncan was one of the more popular guests, but even more popular was her police dog, Skeeter.  Duncan said that Skeeter was about half way through his training, and was on schedule to be a fully trained as a drug dog in April.
“We appreciate all those community helpers that came out and read to the students, and shared their job descriptions,” Smiley media center paraprofessional Gina Riddle said, “The week was a great success and the children really loved the activities that went along with the Read Across America week.