by Taylor Cotie

On October 1, Greensboro College student athletes traveled to Pearce Elementary school to read to second grade students. This is the second year that GC athletes have volunteered to read to students at Pearce Elementary. The student-athletes were split into different groups and read the book “The Hog Mollies and the Fall Fireworks Festival” to the students. The book focuses on a group of friends who go to a festival and encounter obstacles that require them work together to overcome them. The message behind the book teaches younger children the value of resilience and teamwork.

The Collegian had the opportunity to interview Greensboro College’s head volleyball coach, Kevin Troup, to ask how he felt volunteering has affected his student athletes. Coach Troup replied, “Our student athletes have a unique opportunity of mentoring the next generation and being a role model for them on the second and seventh reading program at Pearce Elementary. Giving back to the community is an opportunity to share time with elementary age kids that look up to our athletes like they are superstars. Seeing the kids face light up when we arrive at Pearce Elementary and walk into their classroom is priceless. Honestly, I feel like our student athletes walk away feeling like they are celebrities. Ultimately, I hope our student athletes get a sense of community, a sense of compassion and a sense of servanthood. The smallest act of kindness can make the biggest impact on someone’s life, sometimes without us even knowing.” When the athletes walked into the classrooms, the children’s faces lit up with excitement. There were kids even asking us if we were famous when walking in.

GC had athletes from the football, volleyball and women’s wrestling teams volunteer at the reading. The Collegian had the chance to interview two athletes who attended the reading, senior football player Max Steele and junior volleyball player Alexandra Carefoot. When asked how has reading to younger children impacted him as a person, Steele responded, “Reading to children is a blast. Watching them get excited after seeing us and them having us autograph their books is amazing. Just reminds me to appreciate the little things.”

Volunteering in your community is a good way for people to get involved while making an impact in the world. When asking Carefoot why she felt volunteering in the community is important, she answered, “Volunteering is important because giving is such a pure act in life. There are people less fortunate than me that deserve the same respect and generosity I am shown in life. If I can donate, time effort, money or whatever else is needed, then it is a fraction of what difference we can make in people’s lives.”

From an early childhood, I have always had a passion for helping others and wanting to leave a long-lasting impact. I spent a lot of my time throughout high school volunteering at multiple organizations within my community. As for my own experience at Pearce Elementary, this was my first time traveling to Pearce to read to the children. The group I had absolutely loved the book that we read and were being very engaged and asking many questions. I would let each child in my group take turns reading so they could work on their reading and pronunciation skills. At the end, each kid was able to take a copy of the book home with them. Being able to read to these young children while positively impacting their lives and contributing to their development is truly an amazing experience.

After reading this article I hope it inspires you to volunteer and realize that student-athletes are more than just athletes – we are students who have the potential to leave a long-lasting impact on and off the court or field.