Ignoring the threat of bad weather Feb. 8, radio personality Mike Kelly of B104 arrived at Alburtis Elementary School at 12:15 p.m. to read stories to three classes of first grade students and share with them the importance of reading.

The trio of classes totaling 61 students wore handmade crowns shaped like a bee with "We," a red heart and "B104." The students were accompanied by their teachers Pamela Briody, Deb Barlup and Kendra Bergman.

The students, all eager and enthusiastic, heard three stories, "Snowmen at Night," chosen by Kelly because of the weather; "Aliens in Underpants Save the World," chosen by the students because of the funny title; and "Do Princesses Wear Hiking Boots," chosen by the students because Kelly said it was a "magic book because everyone, literally everyone in the room is in this book." When the story ended there was a mirror on the last page so everyone looking in the book saw himself or herself, hence the magic.

Eager to ask questions of Kelly, the students readily spoke up with many inquiries. Students asked why they couldn't see Kelly on the radio. Kelly said, "because then it would be television." They asked who his favorite Star Wars characters were to which Kelly replied "Jar Jar Binks and Obi-Wan Kenobi."

Students found out his favorite food was pizza and anything wrapped in bacon; his favorite cake is "the one they give me."

Kelly's favorite sport is soccer because it's a team sport. Kelly played soccer and ran track in school. He said he liked soccer the best because the team works together.

"It's a beautiful thing and when you score the team scores," Kelly said.

Since the students are learning to read, Briody asked Kelly to tell them why reading is so important to his job. He said he and his son read comic books a lot and they like reading. Kelly said when a Percy Jackson, Harry Potter or other movie his son wants to see comes out, he has his son read the book first before he can see the movie. The movies leave a lot out and Kelly wants his son to know the whole story.

Kelly said reading is important.

"Every day when I come in, I have to read everything. All we do in the morning is read, read, read. When you read, you can do whatever you want to do. Your reading is very important. You are going to have to know how to read. The better you read, the better your grades are in everything," Kelly said.

The students each received food coupons, one for pizza and one for Perkins Restaurant, and a special colorful certificate from the B104 Morning Show's Kids Reading Program, signed by Kelly and Steph Wells, who is out on maternity leave. The students did miss seeing her and asked disappointedly why she did not come to see them. They were happy to hear about her new baby boy and asked if she would come see them when she returned to work.

Wells is due back in about two weeks and Kelly told the students maybe she will see them sometime in the future.