Gov. Locke urges students to read
Gov. Gary Locke kicked off the 2004 Governor’s Summer Reading Challenge June 9 at Michael Anderson Elementary School on Fairchild Air Force Base.
Locke was escorted to the school by Col. Anthony Mauer, commander of the 92nd Air Refueling Wing at Fairchild. The Spokane Indians mascot, Otto, joined the governor to encourage students to continue reading over summer vacation.
Locke told the 650 students at the all-school assembly that reading is the key to academic success.
“I want to encourage you to build on what you’ve learned this year. I want each and every one of you to succeed in life, and being a good reader is the foundation of that success.”
The governor also praised the partnership between Fairchild AFB and Anderson Elementary. “The base does such great work helping the school promote literacy and the value of reading,” he said. “I want to thank the officers and staff at Fairchild as well as all the teachers, administrators, parents and volunteers who work hard to help all Anderson students succeed.”
The Governor’s Summer Reading Challenge began in 2002. Last year more than 6,000 students participated.
Locke is encouraging all residents under 18 to read 15 hours or more by Labor Day (Sept. 6). Students have until Sept. 18 to report their success. Students can participate by being part of any summer reading program or reading on their own.
Each student who meets the challenge will receive a signed certificate from the governor and become eligible for a trip for four to Disneyland. Sponsors of this year’s challenge are Comcast, Alaska Airlines, Page Ahead and Verizon.
Students can report their summer reading endeavors to the governor by logging on to www.governor.wa.gov/summerreadingchallenge or by writing to: Governor’s Summer Reading Challenge, P.O. Box 40002, Olympia, WA 98504-0002.
Mt. Spokane history teacher honored
Marshall Mah, history teacher at Mt. Spokane High School has been named Washington state History Teacher of the Year by Preserve America, an initiative formally announced by first lady Laura Bush in January. The award is co-sponsored by the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History.
Mah received a $1,000 honorarium, a certificate of recognition, and an archive of history books and materials donated to the school’s library.
The award is designed to promote, celebrate, encourage and honor the teaching of history in America’s classrooms. The award recognizes one outstanding K-12 teacher from each state and U.S. territory annually.