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Princeton University Athletics
Men's Basketball Reads with Princeton Young Achievers
April 24, 2013 | Men's Basketball
Portions courtesy Princeton YMCA announcement:
Members of the Princeton men's basketball team visited the Princeton YMCA to read with the Princeton Young Achievers (PYA) after-school program, sharing the book "STAT: Standing Tall and Talented" by Amar'e Stoudemire of the New York Knicks.
Facilitated by the players, the students sat together in small groups to share what they learned from the story, which tells the tale of a young boy whose experience mirrors that of the author who discovers his innate talent and has to overcome many obstacles to become the success he is today.
“Our PYA students are some of the basketball team's biggest fans, and they love it when they have the opportunity to be together with the players,” observed Mary Traub, the program's education director. “And I know that having a chance to talk about this book with them will inspire our young readers to explore other books. In fact, one of our students was so pleased with the first in the 'STAT' series that he went to the local library to read the others.”
PYA continues to serve an average of 80 students at three learning centers that serve families living in subsidized housing communities daily throughout the school year. The program is funded almost exclusively through financial and in kind contributions from individuals and foundations, and relies on the generosity of many to provide these important services.