HISTORY 2003–2005

FIRST STEPS

In the fall of 2003, the South Lakes High School boys' basketball program, with the financial support of the Colburn Family Foundation, put in place a reading and mentoring program under the guidance of head basketball coach, Wendell Byrd.

South Lakes High School developed a partnership with Terraset Elementary School in Reston, Virginia. Terraset provided a perfect opportunity to launch Readers Are Leaders because it was located next to South Lakes and it recognized that some of its students needed additional reading support.

CONCEPTION

The initial idea for the program was rooted in two commitments that Coach Byrd emphasized in his career as teacher and coach for over 30 years:

1) His work as an elementary school teacher, stressing reading as the key to empowering students, and
2) His yearly commitment to involving his basketball players in community service.

As a teacher, he realized the importance of role models and the need to develop resources and a supportive environment for young readers. As a coach, he realized the importance of developing character and responsibility in his players. In addition, he experienced the yearly challenge of raising funds for equipment and tournaments that would help to enrich the experience and develop the athletic talents of his players.

MISSION AND SUPPORT

With the enthusiastic support from the Colburn Family Foundation, the South Lakes basketball program focused its yearly community service efforts on achieving the following goal:

“Our mission is to provide essential reading strategies and learning opportunities to at-risk elementary students from families with limited financial resources, and at the same time, to provide high school students with the opportunity to develop as role models and mentors.”

Readers Are Leaders drew together 90 students during each of its first 2 years. The funding provided books and incentives for the elementary school students and assisted the South Lakes basketball program.

Although no statistical data were recorded, the program received enthusiastic responses from the elementary school students and their parents as well as Terraset teachers and administrators. Many focused on the fact that these kids not only improved as readers but were also encouraged by players, who filled the role of an older, supportive brother. The high school athletes also found the experience intensely rewarding as they developed bonds and saw that they could make a difference in the lives of these elementary school students.

HISTORY 2005–2009

NEXT STEPS: SHARING THE MODEL AND EXPANDING THE PROGRAM

The success, good will, and encouragement achieved in the first 2 years of the program caused us to reach out to the broader community of Northern Virginia to share our model. One of the keys to the success of the program illustrates a critical component of the model campus, a concept that focuses on the potential for sharing resources between schools that are located in proximity to one another.

In 2005-2006, we successfully extended the Readers Are Leaders program to the Centreville High School baseball program and Centreville Elementary School. At this point, the program involved a total of 150 high school and elementary students.

In 2006-2007, we were able to extend the program further by adding four selected programs: Stuart and Falls Church High Schools partnering with the James Lee Community Center; TC Williams High School teaming with Jefferson Houston, Cory Kelly, and Maury Elementary Schools; and Washington and Lee High School pairing with Tuckahoe Elementary. Working with the community centers provided an opportunity to help young readers in after-school care programs. At this point, the program involved a total of 300 students.

In 2007-2008, Readers Are Leaders grew further, building four more partnerships: Mount Vernon High School with Gum Springs Community Center; Robinson High School with Pinn Community Center; Wakefield High School with Claremont Elementary; and Woodbridge High School with Old Bridge Elementary. At this point, the program involved a total of 435 students.

In 2008-2009, we piloted a program that targeted younger students. In the past, we had worked only with students in second through sixth grades. However, this year we extended our reach at Graham Road Elementary School, where we also worked successfully with kindergarten and first grade students.

This year, we added the Southgate Community Center in Reston to our program, and we removed one elementary school - a recent addition that was not meeting the commitment to quality, organization, and care that we expect from schools that participate in our program.

We also added two more girls' athletic programs, one at Fall Church and the other at South Lakes High School.

At Old Bridge Elementary School this year, the efforts of a spring team and a fall team from Woodbridge High School produced our first year-round program. At Woodbridge, we also added a girls' soccer team to our program, extending the student-athlete base beyond our basketball, softball and baseball teams.

With this growth, our program brought together the efforts of 504 students this year.

JOINING TOGETHER, GROWING TOGETHER