Bucknell Student-Athletes Participate in Annual Black History Month Readings at Kelly Elementary
3/7/2023 10:18:00 AM | General, Student-Athlete Enrichment
LEWISBURG, Pa. – Last month, Bucknell student-athletes partnered with nearby Kelly Elementary School to engage with students and read books focused on Black History Month. More than a dozen Bison from various sports came together to participate in 28 reading sessions for what has become an annual event during the month of February.
Members from Bucknell's Bison Athletes of Color group, the Bison Cares community service group, the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, and the overall student-athlete body visited Kelly Elementary pre-k through third grade classrooms over the final 10 days of Black History Month.
After last year's event was conducted virtually due to COVID-19, the groups were able to meet face-to-face this year.
"Being able to get out in the community and show my face is something I always look forward to doing. With the readings being remote last year, it was nice to be able to read to the students in person and make their day on a Monday morning. I enjoyed asking them questions and answering questions they had as well. I read to Ms. Brockway's pre-k class," said junior Coleman Bennett, who is a member of the Bucknell football team and Bison Athletes of Color.
Bucknell wrestling's Dorian Crosby shared his experience as well, saying, "I thought it was important to show the kids some black history and journey through children's literature and know that no matter what the color of someone's skin is, everyone is special."
The athletes were able to read from books provided by the Kelly Elementary library, so students were then able to check out the books themselves after hearing them read and explore them on their own.
Bucknell has a long history of working with the local elementary school. Kelly Elementary principal Chris Wetzel said "Being able to be a community partner with Bucknell University and having student-athletes come into our classrooms to read to our students during Black History Month was such a great experience. The student-athletes brought an energy and excitement that was contagious. Having the ability to bring in role models for our students and to share the joy of reading is invaluable."