By Noah Johnson njohnson@dailypress.net ESCANABA - Bay College hosted 120 first and second-grade students on Monday to celebrate this year’s completion of the Reading Buddies program. The program is a longstanding event for Bark River-Harris Elementary School, and Bays’ third year hosting the event. “The goal is to encourage children to read, and they pair adult volunteers with children in the classroom, and the kids get an opportunity to practice reading to a trusted adult. (It’s) somebody who’s in their corner, somebody who’s cheering them on, somebody who’s helping them get through some of those tough struggle words,” said Bay College Librarian Mariel Carter. Carter hosts the celebration for the completion of the program, but she says the teachers and volunteers are the real stars of the program. “They are the ones who are starting the kids off with that trajectory up towards success and then continuing with that day-to-day encouragements,” she said. “My job is just to come at the end and help them to celebrate and set the tone for celebration.” Monday concluded the program for the students, who celebrated by visiting Bay College and spending the morning listening to stories and songs while also dancing. The music was performed live by Carter, who brought out her ukulele for the occasion. The students also got a quick tour of the college library before heading to a park for pizza and activities. Carter said the program is an opportunity for a child to not only advance their reading skills, but also to learn to love reading. “Nobody likes to do things that they’re not good at, and if you’re not good at reading, it is a chore. But when you have somebody who’s in your corner, who is trying to provide encouragement and direction, it makes a huge difference in that success ratio,” she said. When students feel confident in their reading abilities, they’re more willing to challenge themselves and grow in their skills. “That’s the success of programs like Reading Buddies because it gives kids that encouragement and opportunity to grow,” Carter said. She said she advocates for reading, not just in school, but throughout life. “I hope that my joy and sharing stories with kids will help inspire them to be readers for life. I think that lifetime learning is super important,” Carter said. Lifetime reading is something Carter practices in her own home by reading to her children every night. She said programs like Reading Buddies are vital to youth, as it’s important for them to see and hear adults rooting for them. Carter added that reading is not a skill everyone has, and the students should be proud of their abilities and willingness to grow. “I think kids feel so small in this big world, and finding ways to help them see their strengths, finding ways for them to see that they are making a difference in their own lives, and what does that mean for them personally is important,” Carter explained. The Reading Buddies program is made possible by grants sourced by the Community Action Agency. Carter specifically mentioned Lori Giuliani of Community Action, saying she spearheads the funding effort for the program. “She works really, really hard to make the program happen. And so securing the funding for this through grants so that the kids can have the bus ride, so that they can have the t-shirts, so that they can have all these other things,” Carter shared. Bay and Bark River-Harrris plan to continue their partnership of a lifetime reading in the years to come. “I’m a huge proponent of reading, and so anything that I can do to help encourage kids to read is a pleasure to me,” Carter said.

ESCANABA – Bay College hosted 120 first and second-grade students on Monday to celebrate this year’s completion of the Reading Buddies program.

The program is a longstanding event for Bark River-Harris Elementary School, and Bays’ third year hosting the event.

“The goal is to encourage children to read, and they pair adult volunteers with children in the classroom, and the kids get an opportunity to practice reading to a trusted adult.

(It’s) somebody who’s in their corner, somebody who’s cheering them on, somebody who’s helping them get through some of those tough struggle words,” said Bay College Librarian Mariel Carter.

Carter hosts the celebration for the completion of the program, but she says the teachers and volunteers are the real stars of the program.

“They are the ones who are starting the kids off with that trajectory up towards success and then continuing with that day-to-day encouragements,” she said.

“My job is just to come at the end and help them to celebrate and set the tone for celebration.”

Monday concluded the program for the students, who celebrated by visiting Bay College and spending the morning listening to stories and songs while also dancing. The music was performed live by Carter, who brought out her ukulele for the occasion.

The students also got a quick tour of the college library before heading to a park for pizza and activities.

Carter said the program is an opportunity for a child to not only advance their reading skills, but also to learn to love reading.

“Nobody likes to do things that they’re not good at, and if you’re not good at reading, it is a chore. But when you have somebody who’s in your corner, who is trying to provide encouragement and direction, it makes a huge difference in that success ratio,” she said.

When students feel confident in their reading abilities, they’re more willing to challenge themselves and grow in their skills.

“That’s the success of programs like Reading Buddies because it gives kids that encouragement and opportunity to grow,” Carter said.

She said she advocates for reading, not just in school, but throughout life.

“I hope that my joy and sharing stories with kids will help inspire them to be readers for life. I think that lifetime learning is super important,” Carter said.

Lifetime reading is something Carter practices in her own home by reading to her children every night.

She said programs like Reading Buddies are vital to youth, as it’s important for them to see and hear adults rooting for them.

Carter added that reading is not a skill everyone has, and the students should be proud of their abilities and willingness to grow.

“I think kids feel so small in this big world, and finding ways to help them see their strengths, finding ways for them to see that they are making a difference in their own lives, and what does that mean for them personally is important,” Carter explained.

The Reading Buddies program is made possible by grants sourced by the Community Action Agency.

Carter specifically mentioned Lori Giuliani of Community Action, saying she spearheads the funding effort for the program.

“She works really, really hard to make the program happen. And so securing the funding for this through grants so that the kids can have the bus ride, so that they can have the t-shirts, so that they can have all these other things,” Carter shared.

Bay and Bark River-Harrris plan to continue their partnership of a lifetime reading in the years to come.

“I’m a huge proponent of reading, and so anything that I can do to help encourage kids to read is a pleasure to me,” Carter said.