Children surprised by mascots
PROSPECT — While many students at Moraine Elementary School were overjoyed to see costumed mascots in their school Thursday, May 11, those characters brought with them educational messages about Pennsylvania and its history.
Those mascots, which included Rocky from Slippery Rock University and Scoop from the Butler Eagle, surprised students with gift bags filled with stickers, coloring books and T-shirts after a reading from “K is for Keystone.”
Cassandra Coleman, executive director of America250PA, said the organization is trying to spread knowledge and excitement about the approaching 250th anniversary of the United States in 2026.
“Our mission for America250PA is every Pennsylvanian in every county,” Coleman said. “The Keystone Classroom Initiative is a storytelling and visitation program to address Pennsylvania history and educate on Pennsylvania history on an age-appropriate level.”
Pennsylvania was one of the first states to begin planning for America’s semiquincentennial, and Butler County was one of the first counties to sign on with the state’s planning organization, America250.
According to Coleman, America250PA is traveling to elementary schools in the years leading up to 2026 to have local officials read “K is for Keystone” to students, before having local mascots deliver the gift bags.
So far, the group has traveled to 11 schools in 11 counties, and Coleman said she has been happy with the student reception.
“It's very fun. There's fun facts; there's historical facts, general information in this book, but the kids love it,” Coleman said. “We're actually amazed at how engaged the children actually are in the classroom with the readers.”
Kristie Shulsky, principal of Moraine Elementary, said she was surprised to learn that her school would be the only one in Butler County to host the Keystone Classroom Initiative, at least for now. Coleman said America250PA plans to go to one school in every county before returning to the same county again.
Among volunteers and guest readers joining America250PA Thursday were former Gov. Tom Corbett; state Rep. Marci Mustello R-11th; county Commissioners, Leslie Osche and Kevin Boozel; Maria Cade, Miss Butler County 2023; Haley Passione, Miss Iron City; Stella Scialabba, Miss Butler's Teen 2023; Jack Cohen, president of Butler County Tourism & Convention Bureau; and the Pennsylvania State Police.
In order to bring the initiative to the school, Shulsky filled out an application in hopes that America250PA would visit.
“The kids are excited; they were clearly excited when they saw the mascots as they walked in the building,” Shulsky said. “It's a great learning opportunity. It's an honor to have them in the building and celebrate with them in this way.”
The items in the goodie bags were donated from Pennsylvania companies, Coleman said, like Crayola and Utz.
Coleman also said that by making an event out of a milestone for the nation, she and the staff of America250PA hope to create good memories for children.
“We hope that we're creating a memory so that in 50 years when 300 rolls around, these students will be old enough to be there and can sit back and say, ‘I was part of it for the 250th,’” Coleman said.
