Soccer Assists With NEA's Reading Across America Day

Posted: March 31, 2006

CHALMETTE, La. – Loyola women’s soccer team and a host of celebrities, politicians, education leaders, professional athletes and other notable public figures assisted in the ninth annual National Education Association’s Read Across America Day.

Twelve Loyola women’s soccer players helped teach young students at the St. Bernard Unified School in Chalmette how to read, while sharing their own personal learning experiences. The Wolfpack women also signed autographs for the students.

“It was a rewarding experience for my teammates and I. These young children have been through so much with the hurricane, but they were still very eager to learn. It was inspiring to be around these children,” said senior forward Michaela Bono.

The ninth annual National Education Association’s Read Across America Day is the nation’s largest reading celebration. With nearly 45 million participating nationwide, it brought together celebrities, athletes, politicians, education leaders and other notable public figures for a very special cause: to bring the gift of reading to children who have been affected by Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma.

"I have volunteered with this program for several years, and I am not sure who gets more out of it, me or the kids. Not only is the NEA's Read Across America a great awareness program, its fun for everyone involved. As a reader you have an opportunity to make a special connection with a young mind and at the same time help reshape the image of being an athlete," said Loyola head coach David Poggi.

Michelle Williams, vocalist and former member of the Grammy-award winning vocal group Destiny’s Child, was on hand with NEA President Reg Weaver to read Dr. Seuss classics to more than 1,000 elementary students at St. Bernard Unified School. Joining Williams were New Orleans Saints quarterback Adrian McPherson and wide receiver Nate Poole, athletes from Loyola University, politicians from both sides of the aisle and other local celebrities.

For more information on Wolfpack Athletics please see http://wolfpack.loyno.edu, the GCAC- http://gcaconf.com, and the NAIA- http://naia.org.

* The NEA contributed to this release

# # #