Myakka City Elementary gallops into reading

By Liz Ramos
| 3:00 p.m. January 26, 2024

First grader Penelope Seguin, who loves horses, takes her time petting Sugar, a mini horse, after reading "Pete the Cat Goes to the Doctor."

East County
Schools

Penelope Seguin, a first grader at Myakka City Elementary School, couldn't wait for Literacy Night on Jan. 25.

Her love of horses made her excited to see the mini horses from the TerraNova Equestrian Center. She grabbed "Pete the Cat Goes to the Doctor" and started reading to Sugar, a mini horse.

Seguin said she loved when Sugar put her head on Seguin while she was reading.

While some students were reading to mini horses, others were visiting the book fair, doing arts and crafts or participating in a dance party in hopes of winning a book.

First grader Penelope Seguin, who loves horses, takes her time petting Sugar, a mini horse, after reading "Pete the Cat Goes to the Doctor."

Books line the shelves at the book fair.

Fourth grader Ryker Anderson tries to guess the correct animals during a game of Headbanz.

Second grade teacher Maureen Geary encourages students to read.

Libby Neily, the director of equine learning with TerraNova, follows along as first grader Jaxon Mackinlay reads "Fly Guy and Fly Girl" to Sugar, a mini horse.

Sugar, a TerraNova mini horse, loves getting attention from Libby Neily, the director of equine learning for TerraNova, and Myakka City Elementary School second grader Aubree Warning.

Libby Neily, the director of equine learning for TerraNova, listens to first grader Kaleth Nieto read "La Supercapa de Abuela."

First grader Paisley Shewbridge celebrates her sister Riley Shewbridge, who is in pre-K, winning a book in a dance party.

James Erickson, who is 2 years old, and his mother, Naomi Erickson, spend time coloring while his sister, Chloe Erickson, a second grader, participates in a dance party.

Second grader Lydia Powell listens intently and follows along as second grade teacher Karen Washington reads aloud.

TerraNova mini horses are readyfor Myakka City Elementary School students to read to them.

Fourth graders Sareece Cooms and Elle Drake celebrate their love of reading.

Second grader Ryder Chamberlain can't wait to start reading her newest "Magic Tree House" book. "I like that the artist is very creative," she says.

author

Liz Ramos

Managing Editor Liz Ramos previously covered education and community for the East County Observer. Before moving to Florida, Liz was an education reporter for the Lynchburg News & Advance in Virginia for two years after graduating from the Missouri School of Journalism.