Aggie basketball players help promote reading to students
Lincoln Elementary school students learned Tuesday what eight months of reading can get – a visit from three Utah State basketball players.
David Pak, Chris Huber and Jimmie Edwards visited first through fifth grade students during their silver medal awards ceremony at the elementary school in Hyrum. The players were there to congratulate the students on completing their reading program which included reading certain books and taking comprehension tests.
“You need [reading] in every aspect of your life and at every grade level,” Pak said.
Huber started leading the crowd of about 60 students in a “Let’s Go Aggies” cheer before he went on to speak on how reading leads to learning.
Edwards read a Dr. Seuss book to the students after he had said a few words. Edwards related “I Am Not Going To Get Up Today!” to what would happen if the students didn’t read.
After the ceremony the students were treated to a 3-point contest between the three Aggies.
“Jimmie got us,” Pak said. “He’s a good shooter and we cracked under the pressure of all the kids.”
Edwards was the first one to five beating Huber, who finished with two and Pak who didn’t hit any of his shots. The three players also tried their hand at a halfcourt shot but none of them made any of their attempts.
The players passed out pencils and papers with their signatures, as the students filed into the gymnasium for the ceremony.
After the players’ speeches and basketball exhibition, each class had its pictures taken with the athletes.
Andrea Barker, the Lincoln Elementary media center adviser, set up the ceremony. She said she knew Huber and Edwards already and they recruited Pak to come with them.
Pak said he enjoys getting out in the community and this would probably be the first of many appearances for Aggie players since their season has ended.
-krn@cc.usu.edu