Mountaineer Readers were recognized for their reading achievements during Appalachian State University’s Education Day football game on Saturday, September 29, 2018.
The Mountaineer Readers initiative began in the fall of 2007 as a partnership between RCOE and App State Athletics with the purpose of supporting literacy in our surrounding counties.
This year, the group included students from schools in nine area counties and expanded to include students from the Appalachian State University Academy at Middle Fork and from the Reich College of Education’s (RCOE) Anderson Reading Clinic.
Students and their guests enjoyed the annual event. Photo by Heather Brandon
The Academy at Middlefork, located in Walkertown, North Carolina, is a partnership between Appalachian’s RCOE and Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools. The Academy offers services for students in kindergarten through fifth grade and is one of nine University of North Carolina laboratory schools. The school opened in fall 2018.
The Anderson Reading Clinic, based on the Appalachian campus with additional sites locally and at the Academy, offers year-round teacher training, along with diagnostic and remedial reading services to children in the community.
A group from the Anderson Reading Clinic at the game. Photo by Heather Brandon
Making Connections
Prior to the game, the students and their guests toured Appalachian's athletic facilities and were treated to a tailgate lunch hosted by the Reich College of Education (RCOE).
Twenty-five RCOE students, members of the Appalachian Community of Education Scholars (ACES) and Peer Education Ambassadors, joined the Mountaineer Readers for lunch, face-painting, corn hole, and an impromptu dance party! These future educators had a blast hanging out with the young readers and then gave tours of campus on the way back to Kidd Brewer Stadium.
At the game, the students were recognized on the field by Dr. Melba Spooner, Dean of the RCOE, and Doug Gillin, Appalachian’s Director of Athletics.
Participants were recognized on the field during the game and joined by Doug Gillin, Appalachian’s Director of Athletics (far left), and Dr. Melba Spooner, Dean of the RCOE (next left). Photo by Heather Brandon
For many of these students, it was their first college football game - for others, their first visit to a college campus. In addition, for many of the students from the Academy at Middle Fork, it was their first visit to the high country.
An Academy at Middle Fork student visited Appalachian State University and Boone for the first time. Photo by Heather Brandon
50 students, family members, and staff members from the Academy at Middle Fork traveled to Boone for the event.
Dr. Amie Snow ‘06 ‘14, Appalachian State University Academy at Middle Fork Director of Curriculum shared, “For our students, this field trip was the best one ever. Our families loved every minute of the experience and were so glad to spend this quality time with their children. Our students talked about it for days after we returned and mentioned many times how they couldn't wait to get a chance to go back to Boone.”
“Our students talked about it for days after we returned and mentioned many times how they couldn't wait to get a chance to go back to Boone.”
The game day weather was perfect and a great time was had by all!
Dean Melba Spooner connects with two students from the Academy (and future Mountaineers!). Photo by Heather Brandon
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About Mountaineer Readers
For 10+ years, the Mountaineer Readers initiative has encouraged and celebrated reading at area schools.
This year, participating students read books of their choosing during the summer months and recorded their reading on a log provided by App State Athletics. Students then turned the log into their school’s media center coordinator the first week of school.
RCOE processed a tally sheet from each school and announced the top readers in grades 1-2, 3-4, and 5 in each county. Grades 1-5 were recognized from the Academy and grades 1-8 were recognized from the Anderson Reading Clinic. These top readers and guests were invited to Appalachian's annual Education Day football game.
Mountaineer Readers Celebrated at Appalachian Football Game on September 29. Photo by Heather Brandon
