In a heartwarming celebration of Read Across America Week, UNC student-athletes took a break from their rigorous schedules to inspire local children with the joy of reading. This initiative, championed by the National Education Association (NEA), underscores the importance of literacy and aims to ignite a passion for reading among young minds across the nation.
One standout moment came when Kiannah Pierce, a star on the softball field, visited Tar Heel School in Bladen County. She shared a personal favorite, a Dr.
Seuss classic, with a fifth-grade class. "It was a really fun experience for me," Pierce reflected.
"Reading a book my mom used to read to me and my brothers brought back fond memories. The kids were so sweet and brought me so much joy.
Being at UNC has given me the chance to give back to my community, and this was extra special since reading is something I truly love."
Meanwhile, Ayda Suing from the rowing team brought her enthusiasm to Bright Horizons, a campus daycare. She chose "Fox in Socks," a childhood favorite, to entertain the young audience. "Reading to local kids in the community brightened my day and left me with a deep appreciation for the opportunity," Suing shared.
Suing's reading session turned into an interactive adventure as the children became animated with the book's playful rhymes. "My favorite part was when the kids started getting excited as the rhymes became faster and more complex," she said.
"They began saying things like, 'This is crazy,' 'It's going wild,' and 'He's about to explode!' It was amazing to see how invested they became in such a silly story.
For me, reading 'Fox in Socks' was both incredibly challenging, due to the tongue twisters, and extremely rewarding."
These UNC athletes showed that their talents extend beyond sports, leaving a lasting impact on the community and proving that the power of a good book can bring people together in unexpected and delightful ways.