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BHS celebrates importance of reading
Staff Reports

Students at Bullard High School listen as a series of speakers underscore the importance of reading during Nation Teen Read Week.

Teen Read Week is a reading initiative of the American Library Association.

It's an annual event -- held the third week - which is Oct 14-20 this year.

Across the United States public and school libraries, schools, and bookstores take part in Teen Read Week. The emphasis is on encouraging teens to regularly read books just for fun so that recreational reading becomes a habit.

On Monday, Stu Dildine, the Ag teacher, kicked off the week by asking students if they had heard of the three R's.

Shelby Casper answered reading, writing, and `rithmatic. '

Dildine said in his opinion the first one, reading, his most important because we can't do the other two if we cant read.

Because of his busy schedule, Dildine said he only has time to read magazines, such as "Cattle Breeder" and "Purple Circle,"

He even shared with the students the information he has written articles for "Purple Circle," which is about FFA Clubs across America.

In fact the September 2007 issue of "Purple Circle," contains Dildine's article titled "Show Pig Disease." Moreover in the summers he enjoys sitting by the pool reading biographies of successful people, because we can't do the other two if we cant read.

Because of his busy schedule, Dildine said he only has time to read magazines, such as "Cattle Breeder" and "Purple Circle,"

He even shared with the students the information he has written articles for "Purple Circle," which is about FFA Clubs across America.

In fact the September 2007 issue of "Purple Circle," contains Dildine's article titled "Show Pig Disease."

Moreover in the summers he enjoys sitting by the pool reading biographies of successful people, because he wants to know what made them successful.

On Tuesday, Coach Greg Gay beat the stereotype by talking about all the books he likes to read.

He began by telling students about the book that turned him from a non-reader to a reader.

That book was "Treasure Island," which was quickly followed by "Pitcairn's Island," both seafaring adventure stories.

In recent years he read the "Left Behind" books while his son was in ICU, and John Grisham's books, which Gay collects.

However the book he is currently reading is "Talent is Never Enough," from which Gay read the 13 points to success, one of which is team work because, he said, you cannot make it through life without others.

On Wednesday, Coach Ricky Day began by teasing stduents about not believing that coaches read.

His reading adventure began in the 4th grade with a really good book whose title he could not remember.

Students laughed.

Frank Peretti's books have been Day's favorites.

These are Christian-based fantasy that involve the struggle between good and evil, and that contain supernormal characters on both sides of the struggle.

Day held the students spellbound as he read a passage from "This Present Darkness." The story begins with the mysterious appearance of two seven-foot tall men (or are they demons or angels?). It was an intriguing beginning to a captivating adventure.

On Thursday, Coach Kala Laningham's favorite book of all time is "To Kill a Mockingbird," which she has read about 16 times.

She said she even wanted to be Atticus Finch, standing up for what she believes and making a change in people's lives.

Another book that has greatly influenced Laningham is titled "The End of Poverty."

She explained that this book she read for a sociology class not only describes the abject poverty around the world, but what we as individuals can do to relieve it, such as donating lunch money once a week to programs like Feed the Children or recycling plastic.

On Friday, Coach Shane Nobles ended the week with an amazing explanation of his favorite book, "The Odyssey," by Homer.

From Cyclops to Whirlpools Nobles had us on the edge of our seats listening to the amazing tale.

Throughout all he drew comparisons between the challenges in Odysseus's journey and the challenges that young people face in their journey through life.

As Nobles finished, Ranee Fredricks said, "I've read that book, but I didn't know that it was so interesting. I'll have to read it again."

Several students have commented that Noble's colorful book talk made them want to read the book.

Teen Read Week was a successful program at Bullard High School.

The students enjoyed it, and look forward to it next year.

These students were encouraged to read for fun, and many of them are pursuing this wonderful hobby.