Members of the Western Nebraska Community College volleyball interacted with preschoolers from Scottsbluff Public School's Bear Cub Preschool on Thursday as part of the Dr. Seuss Read Across America national event.  

                The four Cougar volleyball players – Danika Daum of Kimball, Brooke Kaawa and Kadara Marshall of Hawaii, and Bailey Foiles of Brush, Colorado – spent time reading and said it was an event that they enjoyed and said they would do again.

                "It was a great experience. I love Dr. Seuss books ever since I was a little kid and being able to read them to preschoolers was nice," Kaawa, the freshman from Hawaii, said. "The kids were so cute and respectful while I was reading. I would love to do it again next year."

                What the "Read Across America" event did was make the Cougar players think about Dr. Seuss when they were little. The National Education Association's Read Across America Day is a nationwide reading celebration that takes place annually on March 2, on Dr. Seuss's birthday. Across the country, thousands of schools, libraries, and community centers participate by bringing together kids, teens, and books,

                It was no different in Scottsbluff as many schools had Dr. Seuss events as well as the public library.

                Many of the Cougar players that read to the youngsters, remembered being involved in Dr. Seuss events when they were younger.

                "I remember in my school [at Kimball] we use to have reading competitions of who could read the most books and I won," Daum said. "I won a Cat in the Hat stuffed toy, which I still have."

                Marshall remembered her days doing these same activities on Dr. Seuss Day.

                "I remember that we had a green egg and ham day when I was in elementary and it was really neat," the freshman said. "At first I was hesitant to try the eggs, but eventually I was able to eat them despite the odd coloring."

                Marshall now got to be on the opposite end, in giving Dr. Seuss back to the youngsters.

                "It was really nice. I love giving back to the communities that have impacted me, especially giving back to the little kids," she said. "When I was younger I idolized older kids that volunteered at my school, so it means a lot for me to be given those opportunities. Reading to the kids was really fun and cute. I would love to do it again."

                Foiles said she wouldn't mind reading to the kids again.

                "I think it was a lot of fun because it gave us girls something different to do and gave the little kids something to sit down and enjoy as well," the freshman said. "The kids were polite and respectful as I was reading and talking to them. They seemed very amused that we were in there and read to them. I would enjoy doing it again."

                Reading "One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish" to the preschoolers brought back memories to Daum as well.

                "It was a lot of fun reading kid's books that I used to get read to me," she said. "I forget about all the rhyming Dr. Seuss uses in his books and it made me think a little bit. But overall the kids were great and I am grateful for the opportunity today. Happy Dr. Seuss Day."