Cheer for Books! Touchdown for Reading!
Osan Air Base, South Korea – Dressed in their jerseys and uniforms, the Osan Middle High School cheerleaders and football players recently visited Osan Elementary School for a literacy event called, “Cheer for Books! Touchdown for Reading!
OMHS students read to various grades and classes, in small groups, to promote reading and literacy for National Book Month in October and again in November for National Picture Book Month. The cheerleaders performed a cheer to students in participating classes, encouraging them to read and never give up on pursuing their education and dreams.
“Our second-grade students had an amazing time during Touchdown for Reading,” Ms. Emerson, a second grade teacher, said. “The excitement was contagious as football players and cheerleaders joined us to perform a lively cheer and share some wonderful stories. The students were fully engaged, smiling and laughing as they listened and read along. Events like this are so beneficial because they show students that reading can be fun, social, and connected to their interests. These special literacy moments help build a lifelong love of reading while also encouraging teamwork, confidence, and community spirit.”
Cheerleader Michaela Miller, 11th grade student, shared the event allows OES students to see that community involvement is important in one’s education and that teenagers enjoy reading, too.
Cheerleader Maya Williams, 12th grade student, stated that the students enjoyed having someone other than their teacher read to them, and the event motivates students to read.
Football player Jerry Prowant, 9th grader, shared he believes reading to young children is fundamental to learning and development and that he enjoyed the opportunity to read to OES students.
The OMHS and OES Information Specialists, Christin Dunham and Monica Hoagland, will continue the partnership between OMHS and OES to promote books and reading, with plans to create additional literacy events.
