Huntington Beach Officials Join Read Across America Fun

Dozens of city leaders, public safety officials, authors and more took time to read to children at Peterson Elementary School.

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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Peterson Elementary School in Huntington Beach, California hosted its ninth annual Read Across America event on Friday, with 60 community members including the mayor, mayor pro tem, school district superintendent, and past PTA presidents visiting to read to students. The event aims to promote literacy and a love of reading among the students.

Why it matters

Read Across America is a nationwide initiative to encourage reading, especially among young students. Peterson Elementary has made this an annual tradition, showing the community's commitment to fostering early literacy skills and a passion for books.

The details

During the three 15-minute reading rotations, the visiting readers were guided by student ambassadors to different classrooms. Readers included Huntington Beach Mayor Casey McKeon, Mayor Pro Tem Butch Twining, Huntington Beach City School District Superintendent Leisa Winston, and past PTA presidents Laura Costelloe and Deanna Garza, who co-chaired the event. The school surprised Principal Kevin Smith-Johnson with a letter of commendation from the city for his work.

  • Peterson Elementary School hosted its ninth annual Read Across America event on Friday, February 28, 2026.
  • National Read Across America week is March 2-6, 2026, with the official day on Monday, March 2nd.

The players

Kevin Smith-Johnson

The principal of Peterson Elementary School, who was surprised with a letter of commendation from the city for his work.

Casey McKeon

The mayor of Huntington Beach, who was one of the readers at the event.

Butch Twining

The mayor pro tem of Huntington Beach, who was one of the readers at the event.

Leisa Winston

The superintendent of Huntington Beach City School District, who was one of the readers at the event.

Laura Costelloe

A past PTA president at Peterson Elementary, who co-chaired the Read Across America event.

Deanna Garza

A past PTA president at Peterson Elementary, who co-chaired the Read Across America event.

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What they’re saying

“Our whole point behind it is just to create excitement and a love for literacy, a love for reading. We don't care if you're the kid reading the book, or the adult reading to the child. It all matters, and it all just builds and builds and builds. What we hope to accomplish by having all of these community members out is just that attraction to reading, that it will be contagious to the students.”

— Kevin Smith-Johnson, Principal, Peterson Elementary School (latimes.com)

“It was a total surprise and very much appreciated. What we do is the work of literally hundreds of people contributing to it.”

— Kevin Smith-Johnson, Principal, Peterson Elementary School (latimes.com)

“It's really important to our kids to see our adults modeling good reading behaviors. We're really showing them that the lifelong love of reading starts at the elementary level with students.”

— Leisa Winston, Superintendent, Huntington Beach City School District (latimes.com)

What’s next

National Read Across America week will take place March 2-6, 2026, with the official day on Monday, March 2nd.

The takeaway

Peterson Elementary's annual Read Across America event demonstrates the community's commitment to fostering early literacy skills and a love of reading among students. By having local leaders and officials participate, the school is able to inspire students and show them that reading is a lifelong pursuit valued by the entire community.