Students, teachers, volunteers and school board members smiled Tuesday as Ohio’s First Lady – Gov.

Wednesday, April 25, 2001

Students, teachers, volunteers and school board members smiled Tuesday as Ohio’s First Lady – Gov. Bob Taft’s wife, Hope Taft – opened the pages of "The Rainbow Fish."

Here to observe Right to Read Week and Volunteer Week, she read the book to children gathered in Rock Hill Elementary No. 2’s library.

Cut-out letters pasted on the wall above her said, "Welcome First Lady Hope Taft."

Mrs. Taft also spoke with OhioReads and STARS (Seniors Teaching and Reaching Students) volunteers after the reading.

"It’s good a state official will come to recognize us and come assist us with our programming," Rock Hill superintendent Lloyd Evans said.

Gov. Taft has been the only governor Evans knows who came to Rock Hill, when he presented the check for the state’s share of the district’s construction project money.

"We’re working not only on the facilities but on curriculum and reading things inside our building," Evans said.

"I think it’s wonderful and our kids deserve this," said Wanda Jenkins of the Rock Hill School Board.

County OhioReads coordinator Carrie Collier said Mrs. Taft’s visit meant a lot to the local community because it showed support to the at least 200 volunteers serving the county. The children see that there are those who really care about their education, she said.

Kathy Stumbo, OhioReads coordinator at Rock Hill No. 2, and Mary Jo Frazer, STARS Program coordinator, said they were elated and excited about Mrs. Taft’s visit. Rock Hill No. 2 is served by 50 OhioReads volunteers alone, Ms. Stumbo said.

And, there are 15 STARS volunteers in the Rock Hill district who work with and tutor 76 children. There are dozens of STARS volunteers in four other southeast Ohio schools.

"We’re not in an area where it’s easy for volunteers to get to us, so it takes quite a bit of dedication," Ms. Frazer said. "It’s nice that she’s come here to honor that dedication."