APSO members bring fun to Alabama schoolchildren with Read Across America

For nearly two decades, members of the Alabama Power Service Organization (APSO) have helped bring the joy of reading to classrooms across the state through their participation in Read Across America.

The annual initiative, which coincides with Dr. Seuss’s March 2 birthday and often extends into April, reaches kindergarten through fourth-grade students and encourages a lifelong love of reading.

Members of the APSO E.C. Gaston Chapter got into character by dressing as the Cat in the Hat and Thing 1 and Thing 2 while reading at several schools.

“It’s a lot of fun and the kids love it,” said Gaston Power Generation Analyst Jessica Kennedy. “One of the kids was captivated by ‘The Cat in the Hat’ character, following them around in awe. Moments like these remind us why our efforts matter.”

Plant Billingsley and Plant Central Alabama were among APSO E.C. Gaston readers, including Valencia Boyd, Amy Calloway, Jeff Fleming, Tarance Gardner, Tabetha Lemonds, Jason Mandrell, Jeff McCord, Zach Oliver, Danielle Tomlin, Jocelyn Vigneulle, Jodi Webb, Melissa Williamson and Kennedy.

Volunteers from the APSO Plant Miller Chapter read to students at Cordova, Sumiton, Valley and West Jefferson Elementary schools. Chapter President Dion Oliver said members enjoy children’s responses during storytelling.

“It’s so much fun seeing the reaction we get from students,” said Oliver, a condition-based maintenance specialist and a community youth coach for baseball, basketball and football. APSO Plant Miller readers included Renell Barger, Terri Black, Savannah Blackburn, Rachel Edgil, Chris Goodman, Blayke Handley, Tara Harris, Natasha Kilpatrick, Andrew Lawhorn, Mickey Mooney, Wendy Robertson, Candi Robinson, Mary Pat Turner, Michele Willoughby and Oliver.

Jennifer Adkinson from the APSO Southeast-Farley Chapter read at Webb Elementary School with her daughter Faith Alligood. An APSO youth volunteer, Alligood also read at Rehobeth Elementary and Primary schools in Dothan. Brittany Killingsworth read at Headland Elementary and Lakeisha Russaw read at Phenix City Elementary.

Adkinson, 2026 APSO Southeast-Farley Chapter president, said Read Across America is essential for children. She pointed to research that shows reading to a child 20 minutes a day exposes students to 1.8 million words per year.

“In schools and libraries across the U.S., Read Across America is huge – it’s a nationwide event,” Adkinson said. “I think it’s important to be a part of that growth and that love for reading. We always make that an important factor in our organization.”

Stevi Gandy, community development specialist in Tuscaloosa, said APSO Western Division members read at several schools: Leah Banks at York West End Jr. High; Karen Burklew at Huntington Elementary; Wendy Dobbs at Maddox Intermediate; Elanie Fetzer at Westside Elementary; Brody Gurganus at Oakman Elementary and Jenna Madison at Huntington Elementary. Gandy read at Moundville Elementary.

APSO Mobile Division Chapter members Erin Delaporte, Brittany Dinc, Ryan Howard, Adrienne Johnson, Sonja North, Jeff Schmitz and Erica Wells read at several schools. Dinc and North were at J.U. Blacksher Elementary School in Uriah on March 3, where they thrilled kindergarteners by gifting each youngster a copy of “One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish,” Goldfish crackers and a Dr. Seuss ring.

Customer Accounting Specialist Dinc, who has helped with the APSO Mobile Division Chapter’s program for two years, said, “I’m thankful Alabama Power allows us to volunteer.”

APSO Southern Division Chapter’s Mackenzie Calhoun, Zanetta Irby and Anthony Sellers read to pre-K students at Blount County Elementary and Michelle McCary read to students at Kidz Klubhouse of Selma.

According to APSO Eastern Division Chapter President Stephanie Mitchell, more than 40 chapter members read at several elementary schools: Heriberto Brito, Carl Hill, Elizabeth Green, Tyler James, Kristina Love, Danita Mascarenas, Colin Robertson, Tammy Williams and Arnita Woodall at Ashville, Pell City and Steele; Lisa Colley, Cody Edmondson, Adam Hanvey, Leah Holloway, Tarrica K. Jones, Candace Simpson, Brandi Sullivan, Coy Thomas, Breanna Walker, Kirby Welsh and Crystal White at Clay County/Roanoke; Michael Barber, Helen, Sean and Trent Dean, Will Freeman and Jerry Treadwell at Cleburne County; Allye Buttram, Jessica Cech, Tchkandice Cunningham, Steve Marlowe, Khalil Pope and Blake Teal at Oak Grove; Dana McFarland and Patricia Tripplett at Ohatchee; Keisha, Vanasia and Vonquel Chapman, Roger Lynch and Kiyunda Smoot at Talladega; and Mitchell and LaToya Zackery at Weaver.

APSO efforts will continue into April with Magic City Chapter members reading to children at the Harris Early Learning Center in Birmingham to celebrate the Week of the Young Child.