Adventures in reading
Some 25 to 30 years ago, when I was a student at Collettsville Elementary School, there were a number of reading contests at our school. The goal, I thought then, was to read the most books possible, and I sure read like crazy.
I'd read sports books, mystery books, stories of adventure and science fiction. I read all that I could in hopes of seeing those stars or check marks going on the chart by my name to show that I was reading all that I could.
“Read Right On” was one of the slogans, and I did.
Looking back, that was not so much a contest designed to see who could read the most as much as it was an attempt to encourage reading among students.
I'm glad it was used because it spawned my love affair with reading that ultimately led me, in part, to my chosen career. As a journalist, the reading goes hand in hand with the writing.
Reading always has been, and remains, an important part of my life. I'm thankful for those teachers who taught me to read at a very young age and for those who encouraged me to continue reading along the way.
I've always loved books, magazines and newspapers, and my genre of reading material has been a varied one. Sci-fi, sports, law, mystery - you name, it, I'll read it.
When I was younger we'd get our Weekly Reader book handouts at school. For those unfamiliar with Weekly Reader, it was a listing of books and their prices that students could order. I was fortunate enough to have parents who knew of and encouraged my love for reading so much that they purchased those books for me to read.
Those experiences as a youngster certainly stuck with me through my teen years on into my adult days.
Now, reading for fun and leisure has given way to more reading for my job, but that's not a bad thing. It still keeps me involved with something I've loved throughout my life.
My point in explaining my love for reading is this: We need to pass it on. I need to pass it on. You need to pass it on. We need to instill the importance of reading in generations that follow ours.
My wife and I need to raise my son to have a love for reading. We need to read to him at an early age so he will grow up wanting to read and make it a part of his life, It can be recreational or educational, and in many cases, even inspirational.
As teachers, parents, business and community leaders, it is up to us to promote reading and its importance. That message doesn't have to come from just the school system. It should start at home and be touted everywhere, even on the baseball field, in the barber shop or at church.
The Caldwell County School System has partnered with the library and other agencies in the county to place an emphasis on reading through a program called Caldwell Reads. The concept is to encourage families to read together. On April 12, families will have an opportunity to come out for a kickoff event to promote reading in the home.
Be sure to take part in that event, but remember there's no need to wait until then to start reading in the home. Take a book off the shelf and start reading with your family tonight.
Even though he's less than 3 months old, my son already has an extensive reading list on his bookshelf. And as a responsible dad, I'm going home to read with him tonight. Why not give that a try in your home? Start that lifelong love for reading now. It certainly is worth it.
Managing Editor