Planting Seeds & Developing Dreams

The Big Ten Conference announced the return of Big Impact Reading Week for the third consecutive year. This initiative is dedicated to empowering student-athletes by encouraging them to make a positive impact through reading books to youth.

During Big Impact Reading Week, student-athletes take the lead in reading books that discuss various cultural awareness topics, fostering a deeper understanding of different identities. The initiative encourages open conversations and promotes unity among youth through the power of literature.

Through Big Impact Reading Week, the Big Ten continues to champion the importance of education, empathy, and inclusivity, creating a sense of community that extends beyond the playing field.

This year, Maryland Athletics partnered with University Park Elementary School. Terrapin student-athletes read books and spent time with fourth and fifth graders.

“As an elite academic institution, it is our duty to show the next generation the power of knowledge and what they can do now to be change agents in their own neighborhoods,” Maryland Community Engagement intern Deja Parker said. “It felt even more impactful to have our student-athletes participate in this during Read Across America Week. Working with the Big Ten office this year was one of the most empowering programs I have been a part of.”

A group of 12 Maryland student-athletes from women’s soccer, cheerleading, men’s golf, field hockey, softball, football, men’s soccer, track & field, wrestling, volleyball and men’s lacrosse participated.

“It means a lot to take part in something that is bigger than ourselves,” AJ Larkin of men’s lacrosse said. “It’s an honor to be able to represent the University of Maryland in such an impactful and meaningful way in our community. To be in a position to help educate the youth and provide them valuable lessons that will last them a lifetime is something that I’m thankful to be in a position to do.”

Maryland student-athletes reflected on how seeing college student-athletes when they were young children would have impacted them.

Alex Moore of football said, “Getting to see the different kids' reactions, personalities and then comparing myself then to them today was nostalgic. I think it was amazing to see the difference that someone can make in someone's life by simply being present.”

Kelsey Smith of women’s soccer said, “I believe that my younger self would be excited and curious. I think that I would ask a lot of questions about what life could potentially look like for me in the future! I was really happy that they asked a lot of questions and were really interested in the advice we gave, and the stories we told.”

Another impact of having college athletes visit local elementary schools is seeing college students close by in their community.

Fifth-grade teacher Tanaya Gable said, “It was really good to have student-athletes from the University of Maryland give real-life insight about their experiences of what college is like for students that they can actually see because the school is more visible to them as opposed to schools they can’t see. They had a lot of personal questions that made the experience more real and not just a building you pass by. This experience made college more real and the idea more tangible.”

Ada Moore, fourth-grade teacher, said, “I believe the impact that our students got to hear from and see, and speak it, and ask questions of Maryland athletes, gives all our students a vision for their own futures. I think giving our students the exposure to possibilities for after high school and pursuing education beyond 12th grade is essential to elementary education. Planting those seeds, developing those dreams, exposing them to their own potential, and showing them that it is possible is vital to an elementary education.”