“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”—Dr. Seuss
University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo students and student-athletes read Dr. Seuss books to more than 2,500 Hawaiʻi Island elementary students at seven schools on March 1, as a part of the Dr. Seuss Read Across America Day.
Vulcan teams from baseball, softball, volleyball, men’s basketball, men’s and women’s tennis and men’s and women’s soccer visited Hilo Union, Kaūmana, Haʻaheo, Waiākea, Keaʻau, Chiefess Kapiʻolani and Keaukaha elementary schools.
“This is always one of my favorite days of the year,” said Patrick Guillen, UH Hilo athletic director. “The keiki and our UH Hilo student-athletes really enjoy this event. The smiles and interactions between both is very rewarding to see.”
The outreach was done in collaboration with the National Education Association’s annual Dr. Seuss Read Across America program on the legendary writer’s 115th birthday.
The Vulcan athletic department collaborated with Maile Boggeln, UH Hilo campus and community service coordinator, to organize the event. The Campus and Community Service (CCS) program has been participating in Read Across America Day for over 16 years.
“This is such a wonderful event that we have the privilege of putting on each year,” said Boggeln. “The partnership between athletics and CCS bridges two major units on campus, and the opportunity not only provides our students with meaningful volunteer opportunities, but it helps inspire a new generation of readers that will hopefully join us at UH Hilo down the road.”
