Whitesboro High School’s National Honor Society visited Whitesboro Intermediate School’s third graders Dec. 10 to assist West Grayson Retired School Personnel Association (WGRSPA) members in introducing the youngsters to their new book as part of the WGRSPA annual Book Project.
WGRSPA gave each of the 136 third graders a copy of “I Survived the Dust Bowl” by Lauren Tarshis. With the librarian and teachers’ copies added, the total book count was 143. Librarian Kirsten Hemperley chose the book because she knew the students liked the author and enjoy reading her books.
Each NHS member was the reader for a small group of the new book owners. In addition, a bookmark with “Readers are Leaders! Keep turning those pages” on the front was included with the book. On the back of the mark was, “From your friends at Whitesboro High School, the NHS members of the Classes of 2026 and 2027, we express our gratitude and commitment to excellence and service.” High School teacher Anita Morales designs and prints the bookmarks each year.
WGRSPA Book Project Chair Doris Haynie, who organized the event, was impressed with NHS president Logan Booth when the power went out at the high school as groups were being formed and books counted out for the six third-grade classes. He stepped in and organized the high schoolers immediately. Haynie also noted the book project was a success because of the team effort of the high schoolers, the retired educators, and the intermediate school.
“It’s incredible to make it possible for third graders to begin their personal libraries with books that are meaningful and enjoyable to them,” Haynie said.
WGRSPA members assisting Haynie were Sue Barker, Mary Nan Story, Jan Golden, Carla Hawkins, Jackie Dawsey and Sharon Lively.
Thanks go to Intermediate Assistant Principal Suzanne Peters and third grade teachers Johnna Smith, Michaella Eldredge, Penny Bochardt, Mocha Wohlgemuth, Whitney Rowland and Candi White for helping make the book project go so smoothly and especially for encouraging their students to read.
WGRSPA also thanks the communities of west Grayson County for supporting their fundraisers and enabling them to do the book projects, give scholarships and contribute to the TRTF statewide foundation. Next semester WGRSPA will do book projects at S&S, Collinsville and Tioga schools.