Castaic Elementary School was turned into a scene from Whoville Friday, when students and teachers sporting crazy hairdos and Dr. Seuss attire attempted to break a Guinness World Record for the most people reading a Dr. Seuss book at the same time.
“I’ve always wanted to do it and since it’s Dr. Seuss’ birthday it was a perfect time,” said Lara Strahs, event organizer and Castaic Elementary School’s science specialist. “There’s no record set so hopefully we can set it and break it.”
Strahs said about 600 students, teachers, parents, siblings and community members were reading Dr. Seuss books at the same time during the elementary school’s Cub Rally.
“Our community really rallies together; we had people here who don’t have students here but wanted to participate and help out,” she said. “Some parents brought extra Dr. Seuss books for students to read who might not have them at home.”
The large group spent about 15 minutes reading their books to themselves or out loud as school officials took photos and videos.
It will take approximately 12 weeks for the school to hear if they broke the Guinness World Record and if they will be featured in the Guinness Book of World Records.
“It will take us a couple of months to hear back from the officials,” Principal Stephanie Beach said. “We think we have an awesome chance to make a world record.”
Sixth grade student Kristen Catterson, 12, said she has never tried to break a world record before and hopes the school will accomplish its goal.
“It would be a special memory of our school,” she said. “I like reading because it’s different than watching movies all day because you can see what the characters are thinking.”
Her classmate Emily Cammarata, 11, said being a world record holder would be “really cool.”
To get students and staff in the spirit for the event, Castaic Elementary also made Friday “Dr. Seuss Character Day.”
Students and teachers dressed up as their favorite characters like The Cat in the Hat, The Lorax and Thing 1 and Thing 2.
“Originally it was going to be a dress as Special Characters Day but then we turned it to dress as Dr. Seuss Characters Day,” Strahs said. “Some teachers made crafts with their students too.”
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