Goal is literacy, T-Birds tell Kent kids

Want to keep up with Kent’s newest professional athletes? Then you better get reading!

That was the message Tuesday night at Horizon Elementary’s Family Literacy Night where two members of the Seattle Thunderbirds answered questions and encouraged the students to read all about their exploits in their local papers.

Displaying copies of the Kent Reporter, Director of Public Relations Ian Henry told the kids that while looking at the pictures is great, the best way to follow the Thunderbirds was to be able to read all about them and that reading was what allowed the two players on hand, defenseman Sena Acolatse and center Lindsay Nielsen, to better understand their opponents and prepare for games.

According to teacher Robyn Enders who set up the players’ visit, the idea was to try and spark interest in literacy night among the older students, especially the boys, many of whom did not turn out for last year’s event.

“I thought if we had some sports figures here, they’d want to come,” Enders said.

And it worked as dozens of students - boys and girls - gathered in the school’s multi-purpose room for a chance to get a free book (care of the school’s PTA), eat some cookies and milk and get autographs from the two young hockey players on hand for the event.

A few students also were able to try on some of the pads and gear the players wear during a game as well as ask them questions about their time on the ice.

The players also took the opportunity to encourage the students to practice their reading, something Enders hopes will have additional weight with the kids because of those telling them are high-caliber athletes.

“Sometimes I think just hearing that from someone they admire ... that means something,” she said.

Principal Melanie Strey said having the players at the school will also help build a larger sense of community.

“We really wanted to have a tie-in to our community,” she said.

Henry said he too hoped the players would be effective in getting the message across and said the team is committed to doing events like this throughout the city.

“We understand what a sports team brings (to a city),” he said.

Makiya Miller, 11, said it was fun meeting the players and getting their autographs and said that being a good reader is very important.

“I think it’s important to read because you can also learn things from books and you can get very smart from reading,” she said.

Fellow sixth-grader Kendi Odoh, 11, agreed, adding that reading can “take you far.”

“If you can’t read, you can’t get a good job,” Odoh said, adding that seeing the players was “really fun and I like them coming out here.”

While the hockey players were there to excite the older kids, primary grade students had their own room, complete with readings and puppet shows and mini pajama party, as well as book giveaways for them too.

Owen Foster, 6, picked up a free copy of a “Curious George” book, which he likes because of the monkey’s curiosity.

As for reading, Foster said he and his parents like to read and offered this reason for why people should practice their reading:

“Because they’ll get smarter,” he said with a shrug. “Get a book and read it.”

Brian Beckley can be reached at 253-437-6012 or bbeckley@kentreporter.com

Contact Kent Reporter General assignment reporter Brian Beckley at bbeckley@kentreporter.com or 253-872-6600, ext. 5054.

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