Number of Participants: 11
Hours Donated: 36
Value of Time Served: $3,346
Event Type: Children & Youth
Sport: Girls Basketball
Date: March 6, 2024
Location:
Hull High School
Main Street, Hull
MA
About:
As a part of their #OneTeamOneFamily initiative, the Hull Girls Basketball Program has implemented an exciting new tradition this year that involves our JV and Varsity players volunteering their time to read to and play basketball with the youth at neighboring Jacobs Elementary School.
We are well aware that young people often emulate their favorite athletes, and the Hull Girls Basketball Program is hopeful they can use this common knowledge to promote literacy and connectivity through reading and positive role models, while enabling our Lady Pirate Ballers to ‘pay it forward’ as well.
On a weekly basis, the team has an alternating rotation of players who are charged with reading with the Jacob’s students on Mondays, and playing basketball with them on Wednesdays. The girls rotate between Grades K-5, and designated players are assigned to attend each session. The team has really taken to this program and the younger students, as most players ask to join on their ‘off weeks’ as well. Junior Captain Fallon Ryan is one of our players who is a ‘weekly attendee’. She has quickly recognized the impact that a positive role model like herself can have on others, as well as the value of this program for both the Jacob’s students and our basketball team.
Fallon has expressed that she really likes spending time with the elementary students and claims that “it’s a rewarding experience because they look up to us”. JV Coach Jon Hawes, who is also a teacher at Jacobs Elementary, helps to facilitate the Pirate Readers Program and is constantly beaming as he relays the amazing results he is seeing with both groups.
Jon has confirmed that all participants have had a blast getting to know one another, and that it’s been an extremely success endeavor on all fronts.
I am incredibly proud of this team and the difference they are making. These girls are amazing role models, both on and off the court, and are making a huge impact for Hull’s youth and the future of our basketball program.
