This February, Wayne Valley’s newly formed Captains Council–a collection of seniors that are the captains of their varsity sports–visited Randall Carter, Packanack, Ryerson, James Fallon, and Lafayette to read to second grade students. The program is run by the 2nd & 7 Foundation, which first began in 1999. Since then, over 800,000 free books have been given to young students across America. The overall goal of this program is to promote literacy and reading among this young demographic by introducing them to positive role models: dedicated high school student-athletes. 

At this reading, the second graders receive a free Hog Mollie book, which is a story all about kindness. This year, the story was The Hog Mollies and The Great Golden Gizmo. The book follows Ruby and her classmates as they try to learn what the motto “kindness is contagious” means. After all the high schoolers read the book with the second graders, they discussed ways to be kind and signed a pledge. This pledge included always promising to read, complete homework, respect others, work hard in school, and do the right thing. 

Mr. Carcich, Wayne Valley’s Athletic Director and the advisor for the Captains Council, explains that there is an “instant connection between the athletes and the students” that is amazing to witness. Not only are the students engaged with the lesson, but they ask questions about high school sports, friends, and schoolwork. At the end of the reading, the athletes and second graders even autograph each other’s books! When these students are in high school many years from now, maybe they will be the ones traveling to an elementary school or they will find their Hog Mollies book lying around somewhere and open it to see the many autographs. 

The 2nd & 7 program allows for these elementary students to become excited about the possibilities high school has to offer: academics, clubs, social life, and sports. “The high school experience is about much more than classrooms and school work,” Mr. Carcich adds. This program allows for the second graders to be excited about becoming a part of the Wayne High Schools system, as they are provided with role models that have excelled in athletics, leadership positions, and academics. 

Not only do the athletes get more experience and leadership outside of their sports teams, they return to their childhood. Mr. Carcich tries for the high school athletes to return to their own elementary schools, where they can walk the halls they spent so much time in years ago. “High schoolers forget what it is like to be that young,” Mr. Carcich explains. “Watching the athletes reconnect with teachers is like them being in second grade again.”