Scott Kahoe (left), Chris Daniello (center) and Dan Hardy (right) took turns reading to kids at The Huntington School on Friday
Syracuse Student-Athletes Take Part in National "Book It!" Program
11/14/2008 1:05:40 PM | General
SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Members of the Syracuse men’s lacrosse, women’s lacrosse and swimming and diving teams read books to elementary students at The Huntington School on Sunnycrest Road in Syracuse on Friday, Nov. 14. Their appearance was part of the national “Book It!” program that encourages literacy among children.
During the morning session, men’s lacrosse players Scott Kahoe (Glenside, Pa.), Chris Daniello (Cross River, N.Y.) and Dan Hardy (Tully, N.Y.) each read a book to a group of first-graders. Kahoe read “Shiver Me Letters: A Pirate ABC” by June Soebel. Daniello read “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie” by Laura Joffe Numeroff, while Hardy read “Hooray for Reading Day” by Margery Cuyler. Following the reading session, the players also answered questions from the students.
As part of the “Book It!” program, elementary school tudents are challenged to read a specific number of minutes each month and they track their progress in a log that is signed by their parents. In addition, during “National Young Readers Week” schools are encouraged to bring local celebrities to read to their classes.
“Student-athletes are always among the top choices to come in and read,” third-grade teacher Sheila Ludington said. “The kids always get really excited to see the athletes and they start thinking that if they read they can be an athlete someday too.”
Hardy’s book was the longest and the experience of reading aloud intimidated the All-American a little bit.
“It was little nerve-racking,” Hardy said. “I’m not really a big public speaker. Seriously though, it was fun. It’s cool to interact with the kids and they love having guest speakers come in.”
“We were just like them growing up” Kahoe said. “So anytime you have a chance to give back to the community it’s great.”
The student-athletes’ appearance was part of the ‘Cuse Cares Community Service Program, which is supported by Citizens Bank. The program immerses SU student-athletes and coaches in the community and has been recognized with the Chancellor’s Award for Public Service (CAPS) in each of the last 11 years. The award is given annually to SU students and student organizations that exemplify the highest ideal of sustained, quality service to the Syracuse community.
Stanchion to Stanchion | Kiyan Anthony
Monday, March 09
Adrian Autry postgame vs. Pittsburgh
Sunday, March 08
Highlights | Syracuse vs. Pitt
Saturday, March 07
Postgame | #10 Syracuse at #11 Johns Hopkins
Saturday, March 07
