The Ninjabread Man and The Return of Thelma the Unicorn were just a few of the storybooks read to Helen Keller Elementary students by members of the Victor J. Andrew High School Varsity Athletic Leadership Team at a recent Feeder Reader storybook event. 

Designed to promote literacy, introduce vocabulary, and build relationships and a pathway to Andrew High School, the kindergarteners then asked a variety of questions about high school, including if T-Bolts get to make potions in science class, what their favorite snacks are, and if they get to go on field trips.

Since 2018, members of Andrew’s Varsity Athletic Leadership Team (VALT), a group of sophomore, junior, and senior athletes committed to serving the school and the community, visit a District 140 elementary school monthly to read storybooks to students. 

“I love the questions they ask; the kids are so into it,” said Helen Keller graduate and Andrew cross country and soccer athlete Maggie Brower. “I was here and once their age; it’s so fun to come back.”

Junior swimmer and member of track and field Veronika Gecevis said, “I look forward to reading to the kids. It’s great to see the different and fresh perspectives.”

“I like the opportunities to do this work. Not a lot of schools have these efforts. It’s just fun,” said  Andrew swimmer sophomore Madeline Lynch.

The Feeder Reader program, started by Andrew Athletic Director Kevin McKeown, is just one of the VALT activities. Student-athletes also play games with Special Education Ultima students once per month and often visit with senior citizens. Each of the 54 VALT members is required to sign up for three community service events. 

"When I came to Andrew in 2018 with this community service concept for our athletic leadership team, the Kirby District 140 leadership was very supportive of the idea and immediately began to work through the logistics to create this program. I love listening to the questions kids ask during and after the readings, how much fun they have with our athletes, and how much fun our kids have with them. I also enjoy the conversations with current Andrew students who remember VALT coming into their classrooms six or seven years ago. It's come full circle, and I'm so glad there continues to be strong support for our program," McKeown said.