Bison Student-Athletes Read to Lead with Children from Local Community
10/19/2020 11:38:00 AM | Field Hockey, Student-Athlete Enrichment
LEWISBURG, Pa. – A major community engagement initiative of the Bucknell Student-Athlete Enrichment program is a "Read to Lead" effort, where Bison student-athletes partner with local schools and organizations to share a love of reading with young children. Recently, field hockey student-athletes Kaelyn Long and Erin Zielinski held a virtual reading session with kids from SUMMIT Early Learning.
Last spring, fueled by a grant from the Bucknell Community Engagement Fund, a goal was set to reach 100-120 kids aged 4-8, with approximately 30 student-athletes from a variety of sports participating. Not only would the children have the opportunity to engage with student-athletes from different teams and hear about their lives at Bucknell, each classroom would receive book donations made possible through the grant.
SUMMIT's Head Start classroom, which serves low-income families, was selected as one of the locations for Bison student-athletes to visit, however due to the COVID-19 pandemic, initial reading sessions have pivoted to a virtual format.
Last week Long and Zielinski read The Thank You Book by Mo Willems to kids at SUMMIT, and afterward copies of the books were delivered to the building so that the students could have them to practice reading at home.
"It was such a rewarding experience to engage with these kiddos while using our platform of being a student-athlete in such a positive light," said Long, a senior All-Patriot League and Academic All-Patriot League honoree who is majoring in early childhood education. "They got so excited to have us read to them -- even if it had to be virtually through the screen -- which made us even more excited to be giving back and providing books for these kids to take home to share with their families."
"After reading a book on the importance of giving thanks to those we appreciate, the class was asked who they were thankful for. To our surprise they immediately said they were thankful we could come read to them," said Zielinski, a junior defender who majors in chemical engineering. "It was humbling to know that our small action could brighten their day."
Bucknell student-athletes plan to continue to build on these relationships and expand their offerings, with the hope of soon being able to visit the classrooms in person.
"It's awesome that these Bucknell athletes have shared their time and enthusiasm reading to SUMMIT's kids," said Doug Bertanzetti, SUMMIT's executive director. "It is a really cool book that illustrates what it means to be thankful, and it will mean a lot to the kids coming from college students. Thank you to the athletes, the Athletic Department, and The Bucknell Community Engagement Fund for making it happen."
The Bucknell Community Engagement Fund was created to support activities "that provide the region with access to films, plays, concerts, historical presentations or other arts, cultural, civic, social and educational activities that enhance the quality of life in our community and region."
In looking for additional ways for student-athletes to connect and support youth educational opportunities, the Bucknell Student-Athlete Enrichment program has also been offering the ongoing "Books by Bison" series features student-athletes reading their favorite children's books on Instagram. So far, more than 30 readings have been completed by student-athletes from eight different teams. Visit @bucknell_enrich to view the videos.
Last spring, fueled by a grant from the Bucknell Community Engagement Fund, a goal was set to reach 100-120 kids aged 4-8, with approximately 30 student-athletes from a variety of sports participating. Not only would the children have the opportunity to engage with student-athletes from different teams and hear about their lives at Bucknell, each classroom would receive book donations made possible through the grant.
SUMMIT's Head Start classroom, which serves low-income families, was selected as one of the locations for Bison student-athletes to visit, however due to the COVID-19 pandemic, initial reading sessions have pivoted to a virtual format.Last week Long and Zielinski read The Thank You Book by Mo Willems to kids at SUMMIT, and afterward copies of the books were delivered to the building so that the students could have them to practice reading at home.
"It was such a rewarding experience to engage with these kiddos while using our platform of being a student-athlete in such a positive light," said Long, a senior All-Patriot League and Academic All-Patriot League honoree who is majoring in early childhood education. "They got so excited to have us read to them -- even if it had to be virtually through the screen -- which made us even more excited to be giving back and providing books for these kids to take home to share with their families."
"After reading a book on the importance of giving thanks to those we appreciate, the class was asked who they were thankful for. To our surprise they immediately said they were thankful we could come read to them," said Zielinski, a junior defender who majors in chemical engineering. "It was humbling to know that our small action could brighten their day."
Bucknell student-athletes plan to continue to build on these relationships and expand their offerings, with the hope of soon being able to visit the classrooms in person.
"It's awesome that these Bucknell athletes have shared their time and enthusiasm reading to SUMMIT's kids," said Doug Bertanzetti, SUMMIT's executive director. "It is a really cool book that illustrates what it means to be thankful, and it will mean a lot to the kids coming from college students. Thank you to the athletes, the Athletic Department, and The Bucknell Community Engagement Fund for making it happen."
The Bucknell Community Engagement Fund was created to support activities "that provide the region with access to films, plays, concerts, historical presentations or other arts, cultural, civic, social and educational activities that enhance the quality of life in our community and region."
In looking for additional ways for student-athletes to connect and support youth educational opportunities, the Bucknell Student-Athlete Enrichment program has also been offering the ongoing "Books by Bison" series features student-athletes reading their favorite children's books on Instagram. So far, more than 30 readings have been completed by student-athletes from eight different teams. Visit @bucknell_enrich to view the videos.
Players Mentioned
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