When autocomplete options are available, use up and down arrows to review and enter to select.
Apply Give

Liberty students promote literacy at local elementary school

Liberty University School of Education students partnered with Flames student-athletes on Thursday, March 26, for Literacy Alive Day, an event sponsored by Liberty’s chapter of Kappa Delta Pi (KDP), the national education honor society.

The group spent the day at Lynchburg, Va.’s Linkhorne Elementary School where they interacted with 485 students, playing games and reading with them, all while emphasizing the importance of literacy.

KDP funded the event and every student at Linkhorne Elementary went home with a Liberty backpack with three to four books inside.

Kristina DeWitt, associate professor in the School of Education and the counselor of Liberty’s KDP chapter, coordinated the event.

“Literacy Alive is all about bringing literacy to the grass roots of the community. If a child has a book to read, to share, and to love, that makes learning fun,” she said. “It takes a community to raise a child, and all of us at KDP want to support the teachers in their literacy initiatives, but more importantly, we want to show Christ’s love by walking alongside these kids, and showing them education is meant to be fun.”

DeWitt said that KDP plans for this day all year and raised the money for this event by working concessions at football games during the fall semester.

“To make a kid smile is such a precious gift, and all that we do is for the kids. They work hard in school, and gaining a new sense of literacy is just a bonus,” she said.

Linkhorne’s principal Kathleen Sawyer said that she is thankful for Liberty Athletics and the School of Education for providing this day for the students.

“The Liberty students are well prepared and eager to interact with our students,” she said. “The activities are well-planned, and the books the children receive are just what they need to help them develop their love for reading. Our children look up to college students and aspire to be like them. This is a great service project that allows everyone to learn and have fun too.”

Chat Live Chat Live Request Info Request Info Apply Now Apply Now Visit Liberty Visit Liberty