The Student-Athlete Leadership Team (SALT), led by Lakewood Athletic Director Rob Slone, is set to be part of the solution. They want to make an impact in the community in every way that they can. One of these ways is by reaching out to the young Lakewood students.
SALT has teamed up with the nonprofit organization 2nd & 7 to bring books to second graders. Originally a football-led incentive, SALT has adapted it and brought it to Lakewood. Shipments of “Hog Mollies” books arrive at the beginning of each year. Throughout the year, SALT members travel to every local elementary school to read to the children.
Mike Schreiner, a second-grade teacher at Grant Elementary School, notices how much Ranger Readers impacts his students.
“I think having older students come and pay attention to my students and be able to talk to them makes such an impact and is very important,” Schreiner said.
Schreiner also acknowledged the personal impact the visits have on his students. “There is a girl in my class who wrestles. And to have girls from the high school who wrestle, and even those in other sports, it just makes such a difference, and I know she gets excited,” Schreiner said.
Rob Slone partnered with 2nd & 7 during his first year of SALT.
“One of the big things we wanted was our older students to be able to go down to the elementary schools and lead and encourage these kids to get involved,” Slone said. “Not only in sports, but in education as well.”
The initiative has expanded beyond reading. SALT is now a community fixture, participating in food drives, Empower Sports, and “Aging Lakewood” events.
“My students have taken it so much further than I ever thought it would go,” Slone said. “It has stretched further than I ever thought possible.”
Each reading session begins with a pledge found at the front of the book. The SALT members and second graders recite it as follows: “I [name] pledge that I will read every night, do my homework, respect my teachers and classmates, work hard at school and do the right thing.” Incorporating this into their lesson and having the students repeat it makes an impact.
By the year’s final visit, the students often have the words memorized.
“My favorite part is when I say, ‘I, Lilly Boland,’ and then they all say my name too,” said SALT member Lilly Boland.
Not only do these books have an important pledge, but each also contains a life lesson. Whether it’s leadership, friendship or service, there is always a key aspect of life taught in the book. The high schoolers lead discussions on these topics, often finding that the younger students are eager to engage.
What started as a small group of students reading a few books has become a tradition that will last a lifetime. Bringing the Lakewood community together, one book at a time.
