South Lakes boys basketball players have more on their minds than basketball after school.
Readers are Leaders is a reading and mentoring program originally put into place in the fall of 2003 under then boys basketball head coach Wendell G. Byrd.
The program contains the two elements of both Byrd’s coaching and teaching careers. Byrd stressed the importance of elementary school students reading in a proper environment and for his basketball players to complete community service.
Today, the program continues to prosper in fifteen schools around the region.
South Lakes, being one of the partnerships, goes to both Forest Edge and Hunters Woods Elementary School to mentor and improve the reading skills of students.
Varsity basketball head coach Andrew Duggan is very enthusiastic about the success of the program and the effect it has on both the younger and older students.
“It’s a great opportunity for them [basketball players] to mentor someone else,” said Duggan. “It’s like a big brother program and reading just happens to be the medium for it. There are days in which I’ve noticed with some of our Hunters Woods kids where they spend more time talking about other things than just the book. It’s a good opportunity for them to develop a relationship with
a teenager, someone for them to look up to.”
Duggan is not the only one who receives a positive vibe from the program. Players also enjoy the feeling of giving back.
“It’s kind of like a way for us basketball players to give back to the community,” said senior varsity guard Jordan Francis. “The community has helped us stay safe so it feels good to give back.”
Sophomore JV guard Mohamed Ahmed believes that having a teenager sitting next to the student while he or she is reading inspires them.
“It’s a great experience for the kids to be able to read with someone they look up to,” said Ahmed. “I feel like us being there really motivates them to do well and get better.”
The elementary school students agree that the program is beneficial.
“I think Readers are Leaders has made me a better reader,” said fifth grader Taha Ali from Forest Edge Elementary.
Another Forest Edge Elementary School student, fifth grader Mansoor Idris, particularly appreciates the one-on-one time the mentoring aspect of the program provides.
“I like sitting here with the teenagers and talking to them,” said Idris.
The elementary students are not the only ones who benefit and look forward to the reading sessions.
“I think it’s really good that we get to read to kids,” said senior varsity guard Lucian Fox. “I look forward to it coming from school on Fridays. They’re good times.”