Reading your favorite book ruled the day on Monday when Olympic View Elementary joined thousands of other grade schools in the U.S. in celebrating the National Education Association’s Read Across America signature program.

More than 30 community leaders attended Olympic View’s daylong program, volunteering a small part of their day to read to children.

Among the attendees was Federal Way Police Department’s Chief Andy Hwang. The national celebration dovetails with the birthday of Dr. Seuss and the theme of this year’s Read Across America was “Oh, The Places You’ll Go,” in commemoration of the 25th anniversary of Dr. Seuss’s book bearing the same title.

Hwang read the Dr. Seuss book to Sheila Cadena’s first grade class. After reading the book, Hwang shared with the class about his job as chief and the equipment that he wears on the job. He also told them that they can achieve anything in life and go places, if they work hard, are disciplined and do well in school.

“Every opportunity I have to build relationships of trust with the community, especially our youngest citizens, is one that I value,” he said.

Hwang, who has been a guest reader at Olympic View for more than five years, said his favorite book is “Oh, The Places You’ll Go.”

“It speaks to kids of all ages,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mickey McLaine, a firefighter from South King Fire and Rescue’s Station 62, read to Kathryn Smith’s class.

Smith has taught for 13 years at Olympic View.

“I like showing children the enjoyment of reading among people from the community,” Smith said.

This is the 18th annual Read Across America. Olympic View, historically, has built a strong reputation for recruiting guest readers to celebrate the event. Among the other guests on Monday were Federal Way Public Schools interim Superintendent Sally McLean and staff from the district’s Educational Service Center; Rebecca Martin, CEO of the Greater Federal Way Chamber of Commerce; and Federal Way Mayor Jim Ferrell.

Marla Newton, principal at Olympic View, said the program is a positive experience.

“We’re hoping today for energy around reading and that it leads students to whatever they want to become,” Newton said.

Captain Jeff Bellinghausen, who joined McLaine from fire station No. 62, purchased three books and donated them to Olympic View. The opportunity to read to the children was an opportunity he did not want to miss.

“I read a lot to my (own) kids,” he said. “It’s a great opportunity to share with kids about the importance of reading.”