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GHS athletes restore love of literacy into elementary students
Varsity Football players, Adam Arnett and Jake Mills read to a Kindergarten class. Photo by Jessie Fossenkemper
Written by Jessie Fossenkemper - Editor-in-Chief
Gilbert High football players practiced their signatures when they visited Geenfield Elementary on March 4, to participate in America Reads Week. A football team is typically thought of as tough, however the stereotypical football player personality changes with Gilbert High’s football team. The players have been participating in different acts of community service in the off-season, a requirement by head coach Dan Dunn for the 2010-2011 football team.
The elementary schools had different guest readers each day of the week to read to the children. Coach Justin MacDonald coordinated with Kristin McCord, Greenfield’s reading specialist, to set up a day for his team to participate in the event. McCord said it was all about restoring the love of literacy back into the kids.
Sophomore, Jackson Tanner, makes up a "secret handshake" with a Greenfield Elementary student. Photo by Jessie Fossenkemper
44 members of Gilbert High’s football team traveled to the school, and spent nearly two and half-hours with the students. The day began by having lunch with the students, where immediately the kids began to find napkins and extra scraps of paper and lined up for the players, and the coaches to sign autographs. At recess the madness continued while the team played games, ran around, helped the little ones on the playground, and continued to sign away on those little scraps of paper. Some of the players even commented on how they were tired because the kids had worn them out.
“It makes me feel good helping the community, the kids make you feel really good. It probably does more for us than it
does for them,” said Young Tanner, Varsity football player.
Finally, the hour and a half recess period was over and the players split into groups of two, and read to every single class in the school. As they finished their story choices, little hands shot in the air and asked question after question, and still some autographs were signed.
“Today has been a good day; we are already reserving them for next year,” said Greenfield Principal, Collin Kelly.
With all of the community service that the team is doing, as well as the other parts of the off season criteria, the players are becoming stronger team and role models to their peers, some of who did some reading of their own during the week
In addition to the football team, Mr. Steven McDowell, athletic director, assembled another group of athletes from the swim, softball, basketball, and track teams to travel and read to the students at Mesquite high school for America reads week.
“I think that every time you give to the community, you get something back in return, “ said McDowell.
High School athletes will not find themselves on billboards or with endorsement deals, and the autographs they sign will probably be their last, , but to the elementary school students of Greenfield and Mesquite, they are just as famous as Kerri Walsh or Larry Fitzgerald.
March 22nd, 2010 at 4:28 pm
This was the most wonderful thing I have seen happen here at GrES. I have worked here many years and just to see these guys do what they did was phenomenal. It brought goose bumps when I saw them so engaged with the children in classrooms, playgrounds, and lunchroom. Young children really look up to athletes and it was so nice to see these guys interact with the younger children. We enjoyed having them on our campus and we hope to see them again next year.
March 22nd, 2010 at 5:42 pm
My fourth graders absolutely loved it! To see my former students made me very proud! Good going Tigers, and thank you for your service!
Mr. Petrie
4th Grade Teacher
Greenfield Elementary School
March 22nd, 2010 at 9:47 pm
My daughters had so much fun at school, it was amazing! Both Callie & Hailey came home covered in autographs from the team…they didn’t want them to EVER wash off. Thanks for helping my kids see that reading can be fun and that it isn’t just for “the smart kids” at school. Your efforts and time were much appreciated.
March 30th, 2010 at 7:44 am
Wow! I have to agree, I got goose bumps too. It makes me feel proud to say that I came from Greenfield and Gilbert High. Reading IS such an important part of our lives. Thanks to Greenfield, Mesquite, and Gilbert Hight for showing us again what fun reading can be. (miss you all, but you know I’m going to brag about this in Kansas!)