Nine University of Maryland student-athletes participated in the Big Ten Conference’s Big Impact Reading Week initiative at University Park Elementary School on Feb. 24.
The Big Impact Reading Week initiative empowers student-athletes by encouraging them to make a positive impact by reading books to youth. Through this initiative, the Big Ten uses reading to positively impact the community, championing the importance of education, empathy, and inclusivity by creating a sense of community beyond the playing field.
The student-athletes who volunteered to read to the elementary students included Katie Altieri (track and field), Nyla Cherry (track and field), Lila Covey (cheerleading), Dillan Fontus (football), Rubie Goffena (track and field), Ethan Gough (football), Daphne Harmon (cheerleading), Champ Long (football) and Haley Melby (volleyball).
Together, the student-athletes read books on empathy and compassion. They read “The Gratitude Jar” and “The Lion Inside,” and they also read “I Am Jackie Robinson” to celebrate Black History Month. The student-athletes then answered questions about their student-athlete experience.
Maryland will also read to Tulip Grove Elementary School students in Bowie on March 11.
The nine student-athletes shared their experiences and what it means to impact the youth positively.
