GCHS’ Sharks varsity football players team up with TV Production Team 3 students to encourage children to “tackle a book” and power up with reading in this student produced video for K is for Kids. Read GCHS Senior Doris Sacacian’s story about the collaboration here or see both video and story at naplesnews.com: GCHS Sharks Football Players Team Up With TV Production Students
Click here to watch YouTube video: Sharks Football Players Encourage Kids to Read
Matthew Colligan, One of the Sharks Varsity Team Captains
“POWER UP WITH READING”
by Doris Sacacian
In today’s society, reading seems to have become a second priority to many children. There are a variety of distractions that children are faced with, ranging from video games to non-educational TV shows. The K is for Kids Foundation is encouraging young students to be dedicated to their schoolwork, and invest more time in reading. Gulf Coast High School’s TV Production Class was approached by the organization’s Founder and Executive Director, Karen D. Clawson, and GCHS Senior Matthew Colligan, with the opportunity to help inspire Naples children to read more books. After hearing about K is for Kids and their mission, our team — Team 3 — decided that being involved in this organization would be a great way to give back to our community.
Brainstorming about the different ways to approach this, we decided to interview some of our Gulf Coast High School star athletes and hear their views on reading. We spoke to varsity football players, Joe Federico, Matt Colligan, and Josh Patterson, who voiced their opinions on the importance of reading. They explained how reading has helped them be successful, not only in the classroom, but on the field as well. These athletes are dedicated to their game as well as their education. Federico stated that he enjoys tackling his opponent as well as “tackling a great book!” Each of these athletes is aware that a strong education is the key to success on the field, as well as off. In order for them to succeed, being a good reader is necessary. However, even hardworking athletes need to take time off from their busy schedules. Like the varsity football players explained, reading can be a way to relax and expand your mind.
Our TV Production team hopes that the Gulf Coast football players will be able to reach out and inspire children to keep reading. Anyone can make a difference and help motivate children to see the power of reading. We were more than happy to work with K is for Kids Foundation in order to speak out to Collier County students. We hope our message is heard, but actions speak louder than words. If interested, anyone can volunteer or contact K is for Kids Foundation about a way to help.
Editor’s Note: Miss Sacacian is a senior at Gulf Coast High and a member of TV Production Team 3. She plans to major in journalism when she enters college next year.
Photo by Alexis Fletcher, GCHS senior and TV Production Student.
Working behind the scenes to help Sharks football players produce their videotaped message to younger students about the importance of reading were Gulf Coast High School’s TV Production Team 3 students (from left to right) Hernan Rey Del Castillo, Bradley Barker, Michael Willemain, Brianna Tower, Brooke Tanner, Haley Greco, Doris Sacacian, Monica Joyce, Alex Bailey, and Michael Pineda.
A word from Founder and Executive Director, Karen D. Clawson: Teens are K is for Kids’ primary volunteers. We are thrilled with this opportunity to showcase these students’ talents, creativity and achievements and believe children will pay attention to their message.
Why we enlisted the Sharks help: The Sharks football team has an outstanding academic record. The three football players interviewed in the video – Joe Federico, Matthew Colligan and Joshua Patterson – exemplify their team’s achievements on the field and in the classroom, helping the Sharks score the top spot or place in the top five for academic performance by achieving the highest GPA (grade point average) of any high school football team in the State of Florida for three consecutive years.
Special thanks: K is for Kids would like to thank all the teens involved in this student-produced video — great work! — for reaching out to their younger counterparts about the importance of reading; and also extend our deepest appreciation to Sharks Varsity Football Coach Andrew Miranti and TV Production Teacher Scarlett Lavite for their roles in supporting this community project.
To learn more about how you can join in or volunteer for K is for Kids’ Fun’raising Season 2011-12, please email [email protected] or call 239.596.KIDS (5437). You can see all the events we have lined up for kids of all ages by clicking here.
K is for Kids® Foundation Inc.
“Encourage today’s readers. Inspire tomorrow’s leaders.”