IRON MOUNTAIN, Mich. (WZMQ) – 20 students from Woodland Elementary experienced the ride of a lifetime as they were treated to a luxurious limo ride in recognition of their exceptional efforts during Reading Month in March.
Grades E-K through 4th were whisked away in style to McDonald’s in Iron Mountain for a well-deserved treat of kids’ meals and ice cream. The students could hardly contain their excitement as they offloaded from the luxurious bus-style limo transportation. “Everybody say McDonald’s,” cheered the teachers, prompting enthusiastic responses from the students during a quick celebratory group photo-op.
3rd-grader Sierra Tatangelo shared her accomplishment, saying, “Well, I read I think like a thousand-something minutes.”
Meanwhile, Aubrey Stephens, a 4th-grader, and avid fan of Percy Jackson novels, expressed her anticipation about being guest principal for a day. “I’m guest principal, but I’m not really sure what I’m supposed to be doing,” she admitted, recalling her friend’s experience from the previous year.
“Well, my friend last year, Kelsey was the guest principal, and she requested to read books to 1st graders and stuff,” remarked Stephens.
Stephens, who logged an impressive 3300 minutes of reading during March, envisioned herself following in her friend’s footsteps by reading to younger students or doing the morning announcements.
Another student, Kelsey Mitera, revealed her love for mystery and adventure novels, particularly those by Rick Riordan. “I’m reading Trials of Apollo. It’s a series,” she proudly declared, listing off the titles of the books she devoured during Reading Month, like The Detective Club, Serpent’s Shadow, The Red Pyramid, and The Throne of Fire.
Several students agreed that the highlight of the journey was listening to Taylor Swift’s music on the way to McDonald’s, and singing along.
“I just like to read for fun,” declared 4th grade Nora LaCoste, who said she read “The Castle in the Attic,” and “Dork Diaries,” – a book about a girl writing in her diary. Nora’s little sister, 1st grade Clara, chimed in, “I just love reading now,” noting her favorite books from reading month, ‘Pinkalicious’ and ‘Purplicious’ – “It’s easy.”
For Tatangelo, Reading Month has been transformative, as she proudly shared that because of reading month, she has made it to the 3rd book in the Harry Potter series.
Expressing gratitude for her teacher, Mrs. Moreau for the encouragement and support, she shared what interests her about the Harry Potter series: “I like how it’s really entertaining, like how it starts off, and then how it ends.”
