Student-athletes from the University of Evansville visited Lodge Elementary School last week to begin their Just Read program for the academic year.

The Just Read program is a community outreach effort between the Missouri Valley Conference, and its member schools and student-athletes, State Farm Insurance and its agents. The primary goal of the program is to promote the importance of reading at an early age and to stimulate educational growth while utilizing Missouri Valley Conference student-athletes as positive role models.

“UE student-athletes visit Lodge Elementary School and read books to the elementary school students once a month during fall and spring semesters,” said Kellee Widener, a member of the UE women’s soccer team and a Student Athlete Advisory Committee board member. “The kids love it when Ace Purple and student-athletes show up. It's a great way for UE athletics to give back to the community, and I know that the student-athletes have a lot of fun reading to the kids.”

"It feels good to make impact on the next generation by doing small things like Just Read with my extra time,” said Emily Wandersee, a sophomore on the UE volleyball team. “I can be a good role model and brighten their day just by reading a book."