In a fitting tribute to both Dr. Seuss and St. Patrick’s Day, Spout Springs Elementary School students listened Wednesday to guests read “Green Eggs and Ham.”

The event was a part of the school’s delayed Read Across America Day, which is sponsored by the National Education Association.

The day is designed as a celebration of reading, and generally activities are held on March 2 — the birthday of author Theodor Seuss Geisel, who’s better known as Dr. Seuss.

“Our original day was snowed out, so that’s why we’re having it today,” said Steve McDaniel, Spout Springs principal.

Members of the Flowery Branch High School National Honor Society were among the day’s guest readers.

“I’m reading the sequel to ‘The Cat in the Hat.’ It’s called ‘The Cat in the Hat Came Back’ — I didn’t even know there was a second one,” said Amber Merchant, a Flowery Branch High sophomore with special ties to Spout Springs.

“I went to school here, and I remember when (visitors) came to read to us.”

Not only did the 16-year-old get to carry on the tradition of reading to the elementary students, she also got a little surprise when she walked into the fifth-grade classroom. The teacher, Julie Angel, was Merchant’s pre-K teacher.

“What are the odds?” Merchant asked.

Students in Elaine Houston’s second-grade class got an extra-sparkly treat when Amanda Erwin — Miss Lake Lanier 2009 — walked in wearing her tiara to read a few tales.

In addition to “Green Eggs and Ham,” Erwin also read “The Cat in the Hat” — another fitting story for the day, considering Wednesday’s dreary weather.”

“Do you guys get bored when it’s raining and you’re stuck inside?” Erwin asked the class. “I do — I always like to be outside in the sunshine.”

Erwin says Wednesday wasn’t her first visit to a school.

“Steven Brock, the honor society adviser, contacted my executive director to see if I would be interested in coming,” she said.

“Reading to the students is fun. Who wouldn’t want to do it?”