“We're letting the kids know that there are different career opportunities out in the world and that adults read, too,” said fourth-grade Eisenhower teacher Anthony Purcell.

Kathy Carrier was the lucky reader this week. The Lindsborg resident works for KZSN, 102.1-FM radio.

“Bringing in an outside person that the kids might recognize creates a different atmosphere,” said Purcell.As the students walked into the media center, their faces lit up, brewing up questions in their minds.Some were too excited to hold in their questions and one blurted out, “Who is it?!”The childrens' excitement and energy was strong as they found their seats and waited intently for the story to begin.With 42 pairs of eyes on Carrier, she began to read “Piggy Pie.” Her soothing voice swirled about the audience, immersing the children further into the story.As the story drew to a close, the childrens' hands sprang upward, begging to be called on.“Will you mention that you read to us on the radio?” one eager fourth-grade boy asked.“Of course!” Carrier replied. She mentioned visiting Eisenhower during today's radio broadcast on KZSN.Carrier is no stranger to this type of reading programs for children. While in Wichita, she participated in the reading programs in the Wichita districts.“I love it, the kids are so much fun!” Carrier exclaimed.Bumper stickers will be given to the students from Carrier as a memento of the afternoon.

Fourth-grade teachers Jill Beam and Purcell and Carrier made the connection with these students and came closer to bridging the gap between community members and Eisenhower students.