Lewisburg Elementary School welcomes special reader, West Virginia First Lady Cathy Justice

LEWISBURG, WV (WVNS) – West Virginia First Lady Cathy Justice paid a special visit to Lewisburg Elementary School.

First Lady Cathy Justice appointed to West Virginia Board of Education

As part of her stop, she read a book by Dolly Parton to first graders.

She was also joined by Randall Reid Smith who serves as Governor Jim Justice's Curator for the West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture, and History.

He brought along two extra stories to read to the students as well.

Principal of Lewisburg Elementary, Sara Bennett, said this was part of the National Young Readers Week.

"We are just extremely grateful to have volunteers read to our children. It is very important that they are exposed to literature on a constant basis, and we enjoy having people come to read to our students," said Bennett.

National Young Readers Week takes place every year during the second week of November.

After Justice and Reid Smith finished reading to the students, they unboxed a load of books being donated to the school.

Students could pick and choose the story they wanted from the pile.

"Our students are very passionate about books. It is important they are read to every day. They are provided with opportunities to go to the libraries and to continue to seek more knowledge through rich literature," said Bennett.

Governor and First Lady Justice announce next six therapy dogs to be placed in West Virginia schools

This isn't the first time Cathy Justice has done something for Lewisburg Elementary. In March 2024, she gave them Pixie, their full-time therapy dog. This came from the Friends with PAWS Initiative through the state and her team.