A group of 31 Fredonia Blue Devil student-athletes and two coaches participated in "Read Across America Day" on Wednesday at the BOCES LoGuidice Educational Center.
Kelly Edinger, a senior Childhood Inclusive Education major on the volleyball team, organized the event by reaching out to fellow student athletes.
"There are a range of ages and ability levels," Edinger wrote about the BOCES students in an e-mail sent out to members of every Blue Devil team. "Some students are nonverbal and others may feel overwhelmed seeing new faces. However, this event will mean so much to them. The main goal of this is to just have fun with these students. The school is filled with some of the funniest and loving children that I have ever met. Encouraging them, giving them high fives, shaking their hands, and complimenting them will mean so much."
Not sure of the type of response she would get, Edinger was prepared to reach out to community members to help out. Instead, fellow Blue Devils came through. Nine teams were represented.
Fredonia women's volleyball coach Geoff Braun said, "There were stations where the kids were read to, arts and crafts, games and a photo booth. Everyone had a lot of fun. The Blue Devil athletes were fantastic."
Participants were Edinger, Courtney Poirer, Megan Collins, and Jessica DiChristopher of women's volleyball; Aldyn Carlson, Lindsey Forness, Megan Medina and Cassidy Herman of softball; Nicole Burrows, Jessica Tuttle, Samantha Spiess, Katie Miller, Amanda Krouse, Lauren Metz, Christine Thomas, Juliana Kotas, Audrey Yokopovich and Jade Williams of women's lacrosse; Jon Carlson, Mike Freeman, Marcus Ortiz, and Mackenzie McAvoy of men's hockey; Ian Helps and Assistant Coach Adam LaQuier of men's basketball; Parker Healy and James Ritchie of men's soccer; Sarah Lindovski, Amy Miller, Taylor Aversa and Abby Price of women's soccer; Kyle Brown of men's track and field; and Taylor Storer of women's basketball.
"It was nice to see all of the teams accomplishing something together," Edinger said. "The staff had nothing but great things to say about the athletes who were involved. The students had a blast and I was certainly proud to call myself a Blue Devil on Wednesday!"
