On April 30, Central City Elementary christened our Story Walk with a ribbon cutting ceremony. Thanks to a Sparking Literacy Growth grant from WVU Extension’s Energy Express, you and your family can enjoy reading a story from the 7 minute walk from Central City Elementary to the Children’s Museum. This grant also funded field trips to the Huntington Children’s Museum for Central City Elementary Pre-K through third grade classes, as well as a series of Family Fun Nights for all Central City Elementary families. We appreciate the work of the Marshall University June Harless Center in providing STEAM-based activities during the CCE field trips.

We’re incredibly grateful for the work of Cabell County Career and Technical Center for the design, construction, and installation of our story stands: teachers Hugh Roberts and Anna Holtz and students Wynston Brown, Leah Clary, Chase Daniels, Owen Goad, Justis Holley, Cameron Jackson, Michael Jenkins, Jacob Link, Dennis McCrary, Joquavious Sanders, and Gabriel Smith.

We’d like to thank Student Cougar Leader Teacher Clara Metz and the Student Cougar Leaders Harlie Crabtree, Kayleigh Caldwell, Camryn Ellis, Justice Handley, Kayn Tubbs, Tanner Edmonds, Liah Haren, Paisley Fannin, Brylee Griffing, Lucy Kotalic, Myla Bowles, Colton Schnaffner, Harmonee McComas, Dakotah Mays, Zander Brutto, Savaeha Sipple, Evelyn Hunt, Riley Mathis, Chance Barker, Mason Jenkins, and Willow Williamson. Cougar Leaders volunteered their time to help with the field trip for their younger classmates.

We’d also like to acknowledge the following people who made Story Walk possible: our grant writers Samantha Sparks and Brandie Turner, Principal Robin Ramey, the students and teachers of Central City Elementary, Dr. Mindy Allenger, CCRC, West Virginia Reading Association, the Cabell County Board of Education, General Federation Women’s Club Pea Ridge, and the Huntington Children’s Museum board members, employees, and volunteers.

We would like to thank all the Washington Boulevard community members who allowed us to place a Story Walk stand in their yards.

Our first book selection is Golden Delicious: A Cinderella Apple Story by Anna Egan Smucker with illustrations by Kathleen Kemly. The author and illustrator graciously let us use their book to coincide with the Huntington Children’s Museum’s newest theme: Expedition West Virginia. Our new theme begins on May 7 and runs through Summer 2025. For more information on Expedition West Virginia, visit Huntington Children’s Museum on Facebook.

Photography by CarolAnn Williams