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By JOYANNA LOVE | Managing Editor

Students at Clanton Elementary School had an extra special celebration for Read Across America Day with a visit from Gov. Kay Ivey on March 2.

Ivey visited a number of classrooms to say hello before heading to the library to read “What Do You Do with an Idea?” by Kobi Yamada to Mrs. Martinez’s class.

Ivey encouraged students that if they have an idea “and hold on to it, it can change the world.”

While Ivey often finds ways to commemorate Read Across America Day, CES was the only school she was reading to on March 2, according to the governor’s communications director Gina Maiola.

“Learning to read opens a door to all kinds of opportunities,” Ivey said. “… You need to learn to read good, so the world will open up to you.”

She told the students that one of them could even be governor of Alabama.

Chilton County Schools Superintendent Jason Griffin had been contacted by the Governor’s Office a couple weeks ago about setting up the visit.

“It means a lot to our children,” Principal Rebecca Threlkeld said. “We had, of course, planned on special things happening today anyway, but it did make it extra special to have her with us.”

Griffin said he appreciated how the governor has supported education.

Read Across America Day encourages reading while celebrating the birthday of beloved children’s author Dr. Seuss.

CES was decked out in storybook and Dr. Seuss decorations for the week with contests between the different modules.