Trinity Lutheran School Pilot to Co-Pilot Program

by Monte Correll

On Jan 13, Alice Herring, Trinity Lutheran School assistant head of school, gave a presentation on the school's Pilot to Co-Pilot program to members of the Kiwanis Club of Mercury 64. Joining Alice were two of the program's mentors, Trinity eighth-grader Ashley Gailey and Trinity seventh-grader Caroline Thatcher. Pilot to Co-Pilot matches mentors (Pilots) from Trinity with five-year-olds (Co-Pilots) from Newport News Schools who need a bit of help with their reading skills. The children receive a packet with three-to-five new books through their school library. The mentor then calls the child twice a week and reads them a book over the phone. This program is in its seventh year and has been successful in improving the children's reading skills. At this meeting, Trinity was presented with a $500 check from Mercury 64 to support the program.

Pictured from L to R are Alice Herring, Trinity's School Director; Sarah Sager, Mercury 64 President; and Mentors Ashley Gailey and Caroline Thather.