The Black 'n' White

Dozens of Perkins Pirates, in Kindergarten to 5th Grade, braved chilly temperatures to come out to the first Read Under the Lights event at Firelands Health Stadium at Perkins High School. Students, along with their parents and siblings, brought books and blankets to chill and read. Many of them took a break from their books to share what they are reading. Many of them also shared why they like to read, from "it's healthy for your brain" to "it helps me calm down."

Sandy Uhl – or Ms. Sandy, as the kids on her bus know her – is a familiar face who greets Pirates each morning and tells them to have a great evening at the end of the day.She also reads a ton of books, and it is very common to see her with a book while she waits for the kids to board Bus No. 22.In this episode, Ms. Sandy talks about author Mark Greaney's "Gray Man" series, which she just began, what she expects from a "good book," and what she does when she encounters a book she does not like.Her current book: The Chaos Agent by Mark Greaney.

In this episode, Adam West, a 2024 graduate of Perkins High School, sat down to catch up on his life since graduation and talk about his plans to become a teacher.He also talks about his favorite book, Ayn Rand's Anthem, and the book he is now reading, Red Rising by Pierce Brown.Adam has a great story about his experiences with reading. As a youngster, he struggled with reading, though he eventually discovered the magic of reading and was placed in a gifted reading class in middle school.His favorite book: Anthem by Ayn Rand, and his current book: Red Rising by Pierce Brown

Meet Annaliese Rogers.This Perkins High School senior has a great story to tell. She is a very active student and participates in multiple activities, including the PHS Marching Band, Wind Ensemble, and National Honor Society.After graduation, Annaliese plans to attend Slippery Rock University in Pennsylvania, where she will study dance. She is also an avid reader and creative writer. Her favorite book is The Inheritance Games, a trilogy by Jennifer Lynn Barnes.

In this prequel episode of The Black 'n' White, Furry Elementary School teacher Pamela Shirtz chats about reading. Mrs. Shirtz, a former 1st-grade teacher, took a new role during the 2025-2026 school year as a Literacy Coach. In this role, she works one-on-one and in small groups with elementary students. As a veteran educators, Mrs. Shirtz also works with her fellow teachers and helps them be better classroom educators. Mrs. Shirtz talks about her job, the elementary literacy crisis schools across America, and offers her feedback on how this podcast will look and feel in coming episodes.Thank you Mrs. Shirtz for being a great teacher – and sharing with us today.