Skyline Elementary held their first Scholastic Book Fair of the year Thursday night (Nov. 1).  This book fair also had special meaning since it was the first one at Skyline Elementary since the passing of Lynn Phillips, a Skyline Librarian and cancer victim who passed away in May.

Skyline Elementary Prinicipal Kelly McFatrich, along with staff and students of Skyline gathered in the library for an unveiling of a portrait of Mrs. Phillips.  “We wanted to do something special to recognize the work of Lynn Phillips,” Mrs. McFatrich said. “We decided to put together a portrait of Mrs. Phillips reading to children.”

Mrs. McFatrich was told that 5th Grade Reading Teacher Jeremy Fry would be a good candidate to put this portrait together. Fry accepted andsaid that he looked at photos of Phillips for inspiration in making the portrait.  It took one month of work to put the portrait of Phillips together.  There were two rough drafts in pencil form before the final one was put together.

Kids gathered around as the portrait was unveiled of Mrs. Phillips reading one of her favorite books, 'Nubs: The True Story of a Mutt, a Marine & a Miracle.'

The portrait was done as a lasting legacy of Phillips’ passion for reading and literacy in schools.  In addition to the portrait, students of Skyline all received a book earlier in the year with a note that read, “The more you read, the more things you will know.  The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go--Dr. Seuss:   In honor of our librarian, Mrs. Lynn Phillips.”

Mrs. McFatrich said the portrait will hang in the Skyline Elementary.

The Skyline Book Fair also had an all-star theme as athletes from Sedalia read stories to kids.  The atheletes included former St. Louis Cardinals player Bud Thomas; Smith-Cotton Baseball Coach Jeff Mays, Sedalia Bombers Owner/Manager Jud Kindle, Ryan Akin of the Smith-Cotton soccer team and Terri Brines, a friend of Mrs. Phillips who had the honor to read 'Nubs' to the kids.

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