As part of the NAIA’s Champions of Character initiative, scores of Statesmen student-athletes participated in Oskaloosa Elementary School’s Reading Night Thursday.

A handful of members from every athletics team on campus helped during the night, either from directly reading to the younger students to painting faces and playing games with the older youth. The night lasted from 5:30-7:00 with kindergarteners through second grade starting the night and grades 3-5 ending the evening.

“Seeing our student-athletes working with the elementary students was so much fun tonight,” Head Volleyball Coach Jennifer Carlson said. “You got to see the students’ eyes light up when they would see Willy P and they were so excited to work with our athletes. The school put on a great night and our girls were excited to talk with the kids and had a fun time.”

OES will also hold a Math Night in the spring and William Penn plans to participate in that event as well.

Story provided by Wade Steinlage