‘Literacy Under the Lights’: Student athletes promote reading among Pre-K to 8th grade students

CROWN CITY, Ohio (WOWK) — Promoting literacy on the gridiron, Gallia County Local Schools hosted a unique event that mixes sports with literacy.

The South Gallia High School football field is usually filled with fans excited for Friday night home games, but Tuesday night student athletes traded their pads, cleats, and helmets for books.

Gallia County Schools Literacy Coach Sherri Whitt set up the “Literacy Under the Lights” event, bringing together pre-k through 8th grade students with some of the school district’s student athletes.

“We received a comprehensive literacy grant about five years ago, and we received the new one this year. In my mind, I knew what I had to do for connections, and these football players on the field are my past kindergarten kids,” Whitt says.

Blaise Davison, Hunter Wright, and Layne Wright are all seniors on the SGHS football team and were in attendance, reading to the younger generation.

“It starts in the classroom and then how you do in the classroom, usually ends up affecting how you do on the field or on the court,” Davison says.

“Starting off young, learning how to read always helps out. We always looked up to older kids and getting to be that person now, it’s a great experience,” Layne Wright says.

Gallia Co Local Schools Superintendent Phillip Kuhn says events like these help boost the school districts reading levels. “That’s just gonna influence them that much more on the importance and show them the importance of reading,” Kuhn says.

The event started around 6 p.m. and ended at 8 p.m.