On a bright spring morning, about twenty members of the Riverside High School football team fanned out across the district’s four elementary schools. Split into two groups, the players carried books into kindergarten through third‑grade classrooms, eager to share stories with the youngest members of their community.
Junior Connor Flenner, now in his third year of the Literacy Linemen program, described the experience as a way to give back. Senior Alex Boergert, who once sat in those same seats as a child, recalled the excitement of seeing high school athletes in his elementary school and now hopes to inspire the next generation of readers.
A teacher’s perspective
Janeese Mackey, a first‑grade teacher at Riverview Elementary, watched her students light up when the players entered the room. "The kids get excited to see the football players and want to attend the youth football camp," she said, noting that the visits often turn a simple reading session into a broader enthusiasm for school activities.
Coach’s view on community stewardship
Assistant coach Nick Schussler emphasized that the program does more than promote literacy; it cultivates responsibility among the high schoolers. "It helps our players become better stewards within the community and the school system," he explained, highlighting the dual benefit of service and personal growth.
The Literacy Linemen initiative was first created roughly twenty years ago and was reinstated in 2012 after a brief hiatus. Since its revival, the program has become a staple of the district’s effort to connect older and younger students, fostering a sense of belonging that extends beyond the football field.