State police Trooper Josh Black, center, introduces Moraine Elementary School students to Scoop, the Butler Eagle mascot, at an America250PA event on Thursday, May 11, at the school. Eddie Trizzino/Butler Eagle

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.”