Whitman students celebrate summer reading accomplishments

Whitman Elementary School students marked the success of their summer reading program Friday with a little help from the Wheeling Fire and Police Departments.

Each student set an individual reading goal for the summer. On Friday, students saw Principal Ralph Cook Jr. raised 65 feet above the school in a Wheeling Fire Department fire truck to mark the completion of the summer reading program.

“It doesn’t seem like it is very high until you’re up there,” Principal Cook said. “No matter how scary it seems, it’s worth it to celebrate our students’ accomplishments.”

This year’s summer reading theme was “Every Story Has a Hero, Every Hero Has a Story.” Students shared about the books they read, the heroes in their books, and heroes in the community.