East Panhandle Times

Mountain Ridge Intermediate School in Gerrardstown celebrated Read Across America Week by hosting Berkeley County Youth Fair Queen Hayley Silkworth. On Wednesday, Silkworth read to groups of students, answered their questions, and shared information about the fair.

Read Across America Week is dedicated to promoting literacy and encouraging a love for reading. Schools in the area are participating with various activities to engage students.

Caroline McIntosh, the library media specialist at Mountain Ridge Intermediate, organized themed events throughout the week. She noticed that Silkworth was interested in visiting schools for read-aloud sessions and invited her as part of Wednesday's theme, "Kick Off Your Boots and Read." Thirteen classes participated in the event.

Silkworth expressed enthusiasm about interacting with students and discussing the county fair. Her involvement with the Berkeley County Youth Fair began when she was nine years old, and it has been significant in her life. After becoming queen, she aimed to visit schools to share her passion for the fair.

“It was my dream to step foot in every school I could,” Silkworth said. “After all, the Berkeley County Youth Fair starts with the youth. So, I wanted to talk about the fair and get them interested.”

During her visit, she read "Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type" by Doreen Cronin and discussed various activities available at the fair. She explained how market animals are raised by kids who can choose whether to sell or keep them.

“I told them how kids raise their animals and can choose to sell and slaughter it or keep them,” Silkworth said. “Seeing their reaction was priceless.”

Silkworth hopes her visit inspired students to participate in the fair and learn more about agriculture. She intends to continue promoting farming interests during her tenure as fair queen.