Each year, people across the nation join together to bring awareness and help children celebrate reading. The National Education Association’s Read Across America program is celebrated annually on or around Dr. Seuss’s birthday on March 3.

This year, 63 University of Evansville student-athletes took part in the celebration on Thursday. With spring break being next week, many student-athletes took time away from their midterm studying to participate. The student-athletes visited children at Lodge and Delaware elementary schools. They read to the children while also taking part in activities for Dr. Seuss’s 104th birthday.

“We had a lot of fun,” said junior soccer player Kellee Widener. “We had a lot of positive feedback from the kids, and it gives stuent-athletes a chance to give back to the community.”

The event was established in 1998 as a way to motivate children to read more. Today, more than 3.2 million people participate in the celebration.