University hosts reading festival
By Sarah Chacko
Staff Reporter

Children from surrounding communities will be coming to TCU this weekend to fall in love ... with reading.

Ernie Horn, executive director of Score A Goal in the Classroom, said the second Valentine “Fall in Love with Reading” Festival, hosted by the TCU Reading Frogs and Score A Goal in the Classroom, will be held Saturday morning in Daniel-Meyer Coliseum.

The program encourages reading among elementary students, Horn said.

“Children spend their first few years learning to read and the rest of their life reading to learn,” Horn said.

TCU’s participation makes a significant difference in the program, Horn said. He said since college students have a current understanding of education, they realize the importance of role models and making good decisions.

“When college students and staff mentor young students, it gives them encouragement to excel,” Horn said.

At the festival last year, an estimated 4,200 children and 240 volunteers came to read, Horn said. The children are given free books donated from various businesses and take turns reading with adult volunteers, he said.

Davis Babb, associate athletics director for development, said when he read to children at the event last year, the corridors were packed.

“It allows us touch their lives in some way,” Babb said. “They walk away feeling reading is fun.”

In addition to special events, the TCU Reading Frogs send approximately 600 students, faculty and staff to schools during the year, Horn said.

Patrick Smith, principal at North Hi Mount Elementary, said students paired with mentors show less problems in conduct, have less absences and perform better in reading and general studies. Students are more attentive just by being around role models, he said.

“They see the level of reading they can achieve,” Smith said.

Katie French, a freshman education major and one of the festival’s volunteers said the event is a good service opportunity for her career in education.

“I feel like I’m making a difference,” French said. “Children are the future of tomorrow. I’d like to positively impact them so that they can impact the world.”

Interested volunteers should meet at Daniel-Meyer Coliseum 8 a.m. Saturday.

Sarah Chacko