During Read Across America Week, students at Mt. Vernon Elementary School hosted a special Reading Buddy Adoption Day, bringing together older and younger students to promote a love of reading.

Fifth grade students led kindergarten and first grade students through a series of adoption stations designed to make reading both fun and meaningful. At the first station, students selected their very own reading buddy. Next, they chose a special name for their new companion before completing an official Reading Buddy Adoption Certificate.

As part of the adoption process, students also made a Reading Buddy Promise, committing to read to their buddy for 20 minutes each day. The final station allowed students to pick out a new book, giving them the perfect opportunity to begin reading with their new buddy right away.

The event highlighted student leadership as fifth graders guided younger students through each step of the process while encouraging strong reading habits. Through this hands on experience, Mt. Vernon Elementary students celebrated literacy and created a fun tradition that supports a lifelong love of reading.