The joy of reading
Visits to school benefit both kids, volunteer

When Penny Parris moved to Cornerstone Village recently, she was a little down and looking for something to do.

While Parris, who was born with muscular dystrophy, has been confined to a wheelchair her whole life, she wasn't used to the restrictions of living at Cornerstone.

Then her friend and former classmate Phillis Scorse, the principal at Meadowlark Elementary School, came up with just the idea to cheer her up.

Scorse invited Parris to visit the school and have children from the school read to her.

And while Parris was skeptical at first, she warmed to the idea immediately, as did the children.

"The very big thing is it gets me out of the place where I live because it's very hard for me to be there," Parris said. "For me, I was always used to going here and there, doing what I wanted when I wanted. "(At Cornerstone), it is so regimented; I can't do anything on the spur of a moment."

Parris' visits started out once a week at the beginning of the school year, then grew to twice a week, and now she comes every Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoon.

It is a great time for both Parris and the children. For the children because they get to practice their reading for an attentive audience, and for Parris because she loves listening to the children and helping them improve.

"I certainly enjoy them," Parris said. "I love children."

Scorse said that this time makes it possible for children who don't get much time to read to improve on their skills.

"For some, it's just extra time with an adult," she said. "A lot of the parents of these children have night jobs, so there is no one at home for them to read to. This helps out in that area."

Scorse said Parris' visits have helped tremendously. She mentioned one child at the school who refused to read, but Parris convinced him to read to her and now he is a regular during the visits and has improved his reading skills drastically.

"I come just a couple of times a week," third grader Kenneth Rentfo said. "I think it is good because you can learn new stuff."

Third grader Brianna Filby said she enjoys reading to Parris, and also likes the fact that Parris helps her improve.

"It's fun to read to Penny," she said. "Every time you read, she listens, but if you don't get all the words right, she helps you on what you're stuck on."

Parris isn't the only visitor to Meadowlark that helps children read, but Scorse said Parris' visit provide the most positive impact for both her and the children.

"We have other groups that come and volunteer - grandparents of children and former teachers give some of their time, but it is not the same level of return," she said.

And while she has been coming to Meadowlark for less than a year, Parris said she doesn't plan on cutting down on her visits anytime soon, although for the time being she only plans on going to Meadowlark.

"I plan to just stay with Meadowlark," she said. "It's not difficult to go to. I like Meadowlark. I plan to stay here and only here."

The Morning Sun, (www.morningsun.net) January 22, 2006