MILFORD – What if during Dr. Seuss week we put together the biggest gathering of Dr. Seuss characters ever? A gathering so big it could make the Guinness Book of World Records?

That was the question teacher Suzanne Schedin posed to the principal of Heron Pond Elementary School at the beginning of the school year.

Chantal Alcox liked the idea. The school is so big, she was confident they could bypass the Guinness record of about 400 people dressed as Seuss characters.

But she knew they needed help, so they enlisted the PTO to gather supplies like hats and bows, to make sure every student could participate.

Teachers stayed after school to make costumes, and finally late in February, on a day close to the birthday of Seuss, who wrote several of the most popular children’s books of all time, 686 students, teachers and staff, all costumed, gathered in the gym to be counted by Milford police officers and firefighters.

Milford High School’s video production class made a short film of the event, and computer teacher Don Mackintosh went up a ladder truck and took photos.

The school learned recently their achievement made the Guinness Book, but what matters more to Alcox – who was dressed as One Fish and assistant principal Chris Saunders as Two Fish – is that “it was a nice school-community event” and a great celebration of National Read Across America Week.

“It was super fun and one of the things kids will remember a long time,” she said.

Kathy Cleveland can be reached at 673-3100 or kcleveland@cabinet.com.