Junior and senior football players took a trip to Weirton Elementary School on October 20th to read, play games and eat lunch with students.
Players made sure to visit all the classes so they could hang out, talk with and answer questions. Multiple activities were going on throughout all classes. These activities included, reading, playing games, eating lunch, and also getting to know the players more by asking some questions. The players made sure that they got to all the classes and hung out with all of the kids. A lot of time was spent that morning reconnecting with old teachers and building new friendships.
“It was really neat because our kids got to reconnect with the elementary school, a lot of hugs were going on that day.” Stated head football coach and phys. Ed. teacher Frank Sissini .
They first started with the pre-k classes and from there went to kindergarten through fourth grade. In each class, the players started off by reading and usually ended by answering a few questions from the younger ones. As they traveled to each class the teachers gave the players different books to read, such as dinosaurs love tacos by by Adam Rubin and There once was an old lady who swallowed a fly by Lucille Colandro.
As the day went on the team got to revisit the gym and participate in different games and activities with the kids.
Senior quarterback Malachi Stromile said, “It felt good to give back to the community, and see the excitement on the kids faces.”
The school was filled with smiles and laughter throughout the whole day.
Assistant principal and Weir high football coach Chris Hill stated, “The younger kids had a blast, they treated the boys like they were celebrities, and just like the football players they are still talking about the great time they had.”
This trip was effective for both the players and the younger ones. In interviews with the players majority said they felt like a role model.
Senior Corey Lyons said, “It felt good knowing I’m a role model and that the kids look up to us.”
The trip brought many laughs and smiles from the kids to the players, teachers and coaches.
Hill also stated, “I think this trip was the beginning of what I hope is a continuing interaction between the high school and elementary school…I hope that it leads to collaboration on other projects that provide a meaningful experience to the older and younger students.”
