NEA Partners With Saturn on 2007 Cat-a-Van Reading Tour

Virginia Education Association President Princess Moss prepares for the 2007 reading tour, standing in front of one of the Saturn Outlook SUVs. Photo by Dave Quick.

Saturn has been a long-time partner of NEA's Read Across America. In addition to providing Cat-a-Van vehicles, Saturn once again printed up posters that transform into red and white hats for students.

NEA Executive Committee members Marsha Smith and Mark Cebulski present a $1,000 check to Huntington, West Virginia's Central City Elementary School principal Patrick O'Neal as part of NEA's Read Across America Cat-a-Van reading tour. Looking on are the Cat, Walter Hoover, sales manager of the Saturn dealership in Hurricane, W.V., who has been involved with RAA for a number of years, and Charles Delauder, president of the West Virginia Education Association. Photo by Dave Quick.

Students at Westhaven Elementary in Knoxville. (Tour Three, February 27, 2007). Photo by Dave Quick.	Cat in the Hat with wrapped Saturn Outlook at West Haven Elementary in Knoxville. (Tour Three, February 27, 2007). Photo by Dave Quick.

NEA Executive Committee member Becky Pringle and Mike Billirakis with the specially wrapped Saturn Outlook at Campostella Elementary School in Norfolk. (Tour Two, February 26, 2007). Photo by Dave Quick.	NEA Executive Committee member Carolyn Crowder and Tennessee Education Association President Earl Wiman at West Haven Elementary in Knoxville. (Tour Three, February 27, 2007). Photo by Dave Quick.

NEA

Cat-a-Van Updates

Cat-a-Van Two

Day Five - March 2, 2007

Billingsville Elementary School rolled out the red carpet for the Cat in the Hat and Cat-a-Van Tour 2 on Friday in Charlotte, N.C. Not only did students greet the Cat-a-Van at the door wearing their red and white hats, but the auditorium was decked out with Dr. Seuss posters, stuffed animals, balloons, artwork, and books. The students weren't the only ones mesmerized by the Cat - the teachers got into the act by sharpening their slurping skills during the Green Eggs and Ham Song. Principal Byron Campbell surprised NEA Executive Committee member Becky Pringle with a plaque recognizing NEA's efforts to boost literacy. Charlotte Mecklenburg Association of Educators President Mary McCray and NEA Director Hiawatha Foster also got into the spirit by reading to the students and reciting the pledge. Billingsville Elementary School may have been the last stop on the Read Across America road trip, but it will be the driving force behind developing a nation of lifelong readers.

Cat-a-Van Two

Day Four - March 1, 2007

The Cat in the Hat and the Cat-a-Van paid a special visit today to CC Spaulding Elementary School in Durham, N.C. P rincipal Dr. Vandi Kelley's infectious energy quickly spread among the students, staff and Tour 2 participants.  NEA Executive Committee members Mike Billirakis and Becky Pringle, now arguably Dr. Seuss experts, did their rousing readings of Fox in Socks and Green Eggs and Ham.  And NCAE President Eddie Davis had all 250+ students reciting the Read Across America pledge in unison.  The event was not just a school event, but a community one. It was heartwarming to see the community's love for and involvement with the school and its students.  Parents, church members, the PTA president and school board members all attended and donned the signature red and white hats.

Day Three - February 28, 2007

Three, two, one…you’re on!  Day three for Cat-a-Van Two began in Wilmington, N .C. with a live television interview for Good Morning Carolina.  Mike Billirakis and the Cat were featured live on set with WECT-TV 6 Anchor Kim Ratcliff.  The Cat was curiously silent when Ms. Ratcliff asked a question, but Mike Billirakis saved the day by translating Feline into English.  Then it was off to Dorothy B. Johnson Elementary where North Carolina Association of Educators President Eddie Davis and New Hanover County Association of Educators President Nathaniel Johnson joined the tour and happily read to the students and asked them to promise to read often.  Because of the number of students who attend the school, there were two Read Across America assemblies.  The second was for those in grades 3-5.  The team was nervous that the older children may not be as mesmerized by the beloved Dr. Seuss character.  But just like the others, they were on their feet when the Cat in the Hat popped through the side door while music Seussical the Musical blared through the speakers.  There’s just something about that Cat.

Day Two - February 27, 2007

Cat-a-Van Two was greeted by balloons and flowers at Chamberlayne Elementary School in Richmond, VA .    They pulled out all the stops to celebrate Dr. Seuss’s upcoming birthday and encourage children to read.  Virginia Education Association President Princess Moss and Henrico Education Association President Sherri Arnold joined the tour.  A red and white sea of hats covered the entire auditorium.  The Cat in the Hat was a smashing success.  NEA Student Chair Anthony Daniels hoisted some students up to the seven-foot cat so they could get a closer look and say a special hello.  The cat even performed some fancy dance steps for the children.  Yep, the cat can dance.

Day One - February 26, 2007 

Cat-a-Van Two visited two schools in Norfolk,  Va.,  for day one of the Read Across America Tour.  The excitement built even before the Cat-a-Van’s arrival.  When Norfolk State University and its Future Educators of America heard that NEA was coming to town, they went all out and volunteered to create Thing 1 and Thing 2 costumes.  Their energy was contagious at both Campostella Elementary School and Tidewater Park Elementary School.  Executive Committee Member Becky Pringle ran from end to end of the aisle with her rendition of Green Eggs and Ham.  Mike Billirakis translated a few lines into Greek and then mastered the tongue twister, Fox in Socks.  NEA Student Chair Anthony Daniels recognized special guests and received a standing ovation as he carefully led the popular Cat through the crowd.  Virginia Education Association Vice President Jeff Cobb helped students recite the Read Across America pledge.  Education Association of Norfolk President Monte Mercer joined the fun at both schools.  The Cat-a-Van school visits were purrfection!