Feb. 28, 2013

Student athletes from the Women's Soccer team spent their morning as guest readers and assisted Hardy Elementary in a school wide Seussapaloosa or celebration of reading. Educational research shows that one of the single most important activities for building knowledge for children of all ages in their eventual success in reading is reading aloud. In support of language and literacy development, Devany Savage, Olivia Schultz, McKenna Tollack and Jenna Owens each read aloud, shared and discussed Oh, the Places You'll Go with a classroom of 33 fourth graders. This involved presenting the book and other topics as a pleasant and valuable experience while helping the children make sense of what they saw, heard and read.

Olivia described the experience as "fantastic" and "enjoyed being around the kids while reading because they showed genuine excitement about us being there to read Dr. Seuss. I felt so happy afterwards and I did not want to leave. I would have spent the rest of the day there if I could". McKenna stated that she was "entertained" and felt "rejuvenated as it is always refreshing to talk with children who tell you what is exactly on their minds".

The Toreros continue to link to the San Diego community with their TLC programs and service initiatives that offer student athletes continuous opportunities to personally develop, give back and impact the youth, families and community of San Diego.