LAX HOSTS VIRTUAL 'READ ACROSS AMERICA DAY' PROGRAM FOR NEARLY 4,800 LOCAL STUDENTS
(Los Angeles, CA) Today, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) celebrated "Read Across America Day," the nation's largest annual reading event, with a virtual, aviation-themed program attended by nearly 4,800 local students in pre-kindergarten through first grade, becoming the airport's most attended virtual event to date.
"Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) is dedicated to engaging with our local youth through creative programming and events such as Read Across America Day, which help further student's education and interest in aviation," said Justin Erbacci, Chief Executive Officer, LAWA. "It is wonderful to watch our Read Across America Day participation grow year after year with enthusiastic students, teachers and our airport employees celebrating the importance of reading."
As part of the airport's commitment to educational outreach in the community, LAX promoted reading as a fun and interactive learning experience with several airport divisions participating in the program. Airport Police officers kicked off the event reading "Busy Busy Airport" by children's author Richard Scarry. Children were then introduced to the LAX PUPs (Pets Unstressing Passengers), highlighting the program's role in bringing joy and calm to guests, especially when the airport gets very busy.
In recognition of Read Across America Day also falling on Dr. Seuss' birthday, "Oh, the Place You'll Go!," the beloved children's book by Dr. Seuss, was woven into the theme of this year's event for the book's inspirational quotes about taking flight. "The Cat in the Hat" and "Green Eggs and Ham," also by Dr. Seuss, were read to the students. Following the reading, a children's performer dressed as the Cat in the Hat provided entertainment, including music, singing, dancing and games.
For the second time since LAX began its annual Read Across America Day program, a multilingual Airport Police officer read "Un Pez, Dos Peces, Pez Rojo, Pez Azul," the Spanish-language version of "One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish." A video recording of this reading and other's from the event is posted on LAX's YouTube channel.
The 4,794 students who attended were from 34 area schools. Teachers were gifted a set of books for their classrooms to continue to celebrate the joy of reading with their students all year long.
