BOAZ – The Snead State men's basketball team was recently recognized by the Boaz City Board of Education for their service to Corley Elementary School.
Since September, the players have been going every Friday to read in the classrooms. Each player received a "Most Valuable Reader" certificate from Corley Elementary School Principal Ashley Walls.
"At the beginning of the year, Coach (Drew) Wilson and I worked out a reading buddy system for Corley students and the basketball players to read with each other on Fridays. The young men would come diligently each Friday to read, share and help Corley students in any way asked," said Walls.
"Corley faculty, staff and students love the special friendship we have formed with these young men. They have become more than just reading buddies – they have become part of Corley."
"My players really enjoyed the experience of reading and hanging out with the kids at Corley," said Snead State Head Men's Basketball Coach Jay Welborn. "It was extremely beneficial for my players to see the impact they can have on those in their immediate community. It was one of the most positive community service experiences I have participated in."
Walls said the best part of the relationship is how the basketball players kept coming to Corley past the scheduled time on the calendar.
"They would come on their own time to help Corley students with extracurricular activities such as pin dodgeball tournaments and the Corley fun run," said Walls. "Several students will tell you that their favorite field trip this year was when the school got to travel to the gym at Snead State to see the boys play a scrimmage game."
Snead State welcomed Corley Elementary students back in November for a scrimmage game. The students got to see the team in action.
"Personally, I find myself looking forward to seeing these young men show up on my campus, because they do whatever is asked of them. The kids look forward to seeing them come. They serve as great role models for Corley students," said Walls. "I pray this reading buddy system continues in the future."