Some Greene County High School student-athletes took time out of their Wednesday to read to the second graders in the school district.

Activities Director Todd Gordon said he partnered with 2nd and 7 Foundation in Cincinnati, Ohio. It is a program that provides a free book to all second graders. In addition, Gordon points out some of the football, volleyball, cheerleaders and cross country students participated by reading to the younger kids. He told Raccoon Valley Radio the experience was very positive for all involved.

“We brought 12 students over to read. (We’re) just trying to promote reading, promote literacy, (and) just bring some of these people that they see in different areas competing, (and) the high school kids are kind of heroes to some of these little guys and girls. So it’s good for them to show some leadership that way.”

Football player Will Hansen says he did something similar during Homecoming week, and described his favorite part of reading to the second graders this time around.

“I read to this exact class the time before. So it was kind of cool coming back and they knew who I was, and then they were really excited to see us again. I thought it was a great experience and it really, the look on their faces, they just really seem to love it, and they kept asking questions. So it was just (a) cool experience.”

Gordon added, they will continue the program twice per school year, with the next time being this spring with student-athletes from the spring and summer sports programs.