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The Redbirds planned to read to the elementary students from 10:45
to 11:30 a.m. Thursday's reading program, with the student-athletes
participating, will be different from past programs. "Farmer and the
Dell" is the theme that Towanda Elementary School is incorporating
for their "Reading Day." Rather than the ISU student-athletes going
into individual classrooms and reading only to certain classes, they
will be able to interact with the entire school.
"Thursday will be a different experience for the student-athletes
because Towanda is having a Reading Day for their students," said
Jane Fulton, assistant athletics director and academic life skills
coordinator. "The student-athletes really seem to be excited about
the trip and are looking forward to mixing in with the whole school
and not just going into a few classrooms."
ISU student-athletes participating on Thursday include Jaci
McCormack, women's basketball; Rafael Rice, football; Juan Salcido,
football; Cameron Bateman, football; Monique Witkowski, swimming;
Jim Sharfman, football; Pierre Rembert, football; Shanelle
Richardson, gymnastics; and Jesse Caesar, football.
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The Missouri Valley Conference started the outreach program in
November 1998. The program, which is co-sponsored by State Farm
Insurance and the Missouri Valley Conference, has student-athletes
visiting local elementary schools, reading books and relating the
impact that reading has had on their lives. The program is very
successful, and video segments from each Missouri Valley Conference
visit are aired during the league's basketball television package.
For more information regarding Illinois State's visit to Towanda
Elementary School or future visits, contact Jane Fulton at (309)
438-2750. For more information regarding the Just Read program,
contact Jack R. Watkins, (314) 421-0339, ext. 327, or Sarah Weier,
(314) 421-0339, ext. 318, of the Missouri Valley Conference.
[Illinois
State University news release]
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