Students at Blackrock Elementary School were given the opportunity to meet and be read to by numerous Rhode Island dignitaries, educators and professionals during the school's Guest Reader Day Wednesday morning.

The event has been held annually for over 20 years and is still going strong. Fifth grade students send letters and postcards to public figures that they would like to have visit. The individual students whose invitations are accepted are then able to escort their guest reader through the school during the opening parade and to their assigned classroom.

This year's guest list included Governor Lincoln Chafee, Attorney General Peter Kilmartin, Representatives Lisa Tomasso and Scott Guthrie, television personalities Ken Bell and Kelly Bates, Coventry Police Captains James Rickard and Walter Hennessy, School Superintendent Mike Convery, CHS Principal Mike Hobin and more.

The guest readers each chose several books to read to their designated classes and also took time between stories to chat with the students about their school environment. 

Blackrock Principal Alicia Castle explained that the teachers and parents in the school community have been very supportive of the event and the children love being able to meet people that they look up to.

"It is really a big deal to the kids to be able to host this event for such important visitors," she said.