Every Wednesday afternoon, our boys and girls basketball teams step off the court and into a new role—mentors. They make their way to Braddock Elementary School to participate in “Readers for Leaders,” a program where they help third graders improve their reading skills and ignite a passion for learning.
Started in 2018, the program pairs high school student-athletes with elementary school children to work through stories and passages, teaching the younger students how to interpret the author’s meaning behind the words. It’s a unique opportunity for both the older and younger students to connect, learn, and grow together.
Junior Matilda Moreland, who has been part of the program for a while, shared her thoughts on the experience. “I love being a part of Readers for Leaders because it’s a really nice way to connect with younger kids and the Annandale community,” she said. “The thing I enjoy the most about helping the younger kids is just talking with them. All the kids I’ve tutored are really funny, and it’s refreshing to have a conversation with someone as brutally honest as a second grader.”
Moreland feels that the program has also helped her develop important leadership skills. She added that one of the most rewarding aspects of the program is connecting with the kids and learning about their lives. “I think it’s super important to let kids know that people respect them and care about them,” she said.
For junior Fatmata Musa, participating in Readers for Leaders has been an opportunity to become a more influential leader. “Being a part of ‘Readers for Leaders’ makes me feel like a strong, influential leader,” she shared. “I enjoy the moments where I am able to work with them through something they didn’t understand before to the point where they have completely mastered it.”
Musa has also gained valuable life skills through the program. “I’ve definitely learned to be more patient and understanding, not just with kids, but with people in general,” she said. “You never know how your actions can affect someone’s day or even someone’s life.”
Musa also stressed the importance of trusting the learning process, especially for kids facing challenges. “I hope the kids learn to trust the process and give themselves grace when learning something new or trying to master something they find difficult,” she said.
Both Moreland and Musa agree that the program has helped them grow as leaders, and they feel it will benefit them as student-athletes. “This experience will help me as a student-athlete and beyond because it’ll have provided me with important life skills and leadership skills that I can use later in life,” Fatmata said.
As the basketball teams continue their involvement in Readers for Leaders, their impact on Braddock Elementary’s third graders is clear—teaching, supporting, and fostering the importance of reading while also strengthening their own leadership skills for the future.