The Initiative is a “storytelling and visitation program for kindergarten through fourth grade classrooms, children’s hospitals and youth camps” throughout the state that aims to educate kids “about their shared Pennsylvania story” in anticipation of the 250th anniversary of the United States in 2026, according to America250PA Executive Director Cassandra Coleman.

Coleman said the goal is to visit with over 50,000 students across the state before the anniversary arrives, making stops in each of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties.

Prior to the start of the day, fourth grade teacher John Wessner said that he was most looking forward to seeing his students be inspired by their history, and “especially the role of our great Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in creating our story.”

“I am so excited to have our students participate in the (America250PA) initiative with KCI,” Wessner said. “Our history is what connects us and a knowledge of where we’ve come from enriches our lives.”

Blair County Controller A.C. Stickel reads to kindergarteners at Foot of Ten Elementary School on Wednesday as part of America250PA’s Keystone Classroom Initiative. Mirror photo by Rachel Foor

In Amanda Dutchcot’s kindergarten classroom, her students eagerly participated in storytime with Blair County Controller A.C. Stickel, who read “K is for Keystone: A Pennsylvania Alphabet Book” that assigns a letter of the alphabet to something for which Pennsylvania is known.

When Stickel reached the letter E, he read, “E is for Easton, a town where you can see, the birthplace of crayons and markers, in the Crayola Factory.”

Stickel then asked the gathered students if any of them liked to color with Crayola crayons, prompting every student to shoot their hand into the air.

Following the reading, the children returned to their regular seats so that Lionel Liberty, the mascot of the America250PA-Blair County Commission, and Pa. State Trooper Jacob Rhymestine could hand out swag bags. In other classrooms, Altoona Curve mascot LOCO also assisted in the distribution.

The goodie bags contained a T-shirt, a Pennsylvania-themed coloring book, a police badge sticker, Crayola crayons and other state-specific items.

Foot of Ten Elementary School student Thomas Myers colors a Pennsylvania-themed coloring book on Wednesday. Mirror photo by Rachel Foor

At the same time, third and fourth grade students attended an assembly that featured a William Penn historical reenactor from Historical Philadelphia. The reenactor talked to the students about Pennsylvania’s early history and his own life before taking questions.

“America250PA is so excited to continue the Keystone Classroom Initiative in Blair County, to engage our next generation of Pennsylvanians at an age appropriate level,” Coleman said.

The Pennsylvania Commission for the United States Semiquincentennial — or America250PA — was established in 2018 to plan, encourage, develop and coordinate the commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, Pennsylvania’s integral role in that event and the impact of its people on the nation’s past, present and future, according to Coleman.

Mirror Staff Writer Rachel Foor is at 814-946-7458.