READERS FOR
LIFE PROGRAM
SKATES INTO 2009
On January 15, 2009 the Emerson Spanish Immersion School in Minneapolis was the kickoff site of the Qwest Pioneers Readers for Life program.
Again the Literacy Committee leaders Donna Ness, Jan Swenson and Joe Swenson set the stage for a fun and interesting assembly for Emerson schools’ 4th, 5th and 6th graders.
School Principal Mark Quinn, Assistant Principal Catalina Salas and Media Specialist Jane Enfield began the assembly for the 201 student with a warm welcome for the Qwest Pioneers and other guests. The school invited Emily Lowther, Communication Associate with the Minneapolis Public Schools to record the event for possible presentation on Minneapolis cable channel 13.
Qwest Pioneers invited for the second time players from the US Women’s Hockey team who are spending time in Minnesota training and playing competitively against area women and men hockey teams. Players Chandra Gunn, a goaltender with Olympic team hockey experience and Erica McKenzie, a Hastings MN native who plays at the forward position for the US Women's National team.
Special appearances by the Qwest mascot Spirit the dog and Sabasaret, a traveling wizard were wildly cheered as they made their entrances. Ben Snook, CO Supervisor volunteered to portray Spirit and Joe Swenson became the persona of Sabasaret.
Kathy Hanson, past president of MN Chapter 18 Qwest Pioneers emceed the program explaining the priority Pioneers place on the Readers for Life programs and its goal to help kids become good readers and successful students.
Harry Osborn, 2009 President of the MN Chapter 18 Qwest Pioneers shared that he liked reading to his grandkids and other kids and Chandra Gunn and Erica McKenzie told the students what their favorite books were when they were young and why they like them.
Before breaking up into small
groups to read with the Pioneers and guests, students had time to ask
questions of the hockey players. They were interested in how they were
inspired to become a player, the win-loss record of the team and the dangers
they faced as players in an intense sport and how to get good at skating.
The message was it takes practice to become a good player – just like
becoming a good reader takes practice. Players gave each student autograph
cards at the end of the Readers for Life program.
Qwest Pioneers gave out 240 books, one for each students at the assembly and many more for the Emerson school library. Materials introducing Project Connect and Qwest’s Internet Safety Tips cards to Media Specialist Jane Enfield.
Left to Right
Jane Enfield the Emerson school Media Specialist
Kathy Hanson
Chandra Gunn Olympic player
Erica McKenzie, a Hastings native and player on the US Women's Hockey Team
