Bruins beat Trojans by reading to kids
UCLA bested crosstown rival USC on Saturday in an unconventional
way: getting more of its school’s fans to read to kids.
Sponsored by Reading to Kids, an organization that sends
volunteers to read books to Los Angeles elementary school children,
the second annual “College Spirit Day” attracted 254
volunteers to read to kids at four different elementary
schools.
It was the second-highest volunteer total ever for the
organization, which holds a reading day one Saturday every
month.
Volunteers were encouraged to wear clothing supporting their
favorite college for Saturday’s festivities. UCLA had 56 fans
in attendance, compared to USC’s 29. Volunteers read to the
more than 800 kids who showed up for the day’s events.
Maryanna Abdo, program director for Reading to Kids, said
Saturday’s event was a good way to “emphasize college
to the kids we’re working with,” many of whom come from
low-income areas.
“It’s a population that needs a lot of information
about the idea of going to college,” she said.
UCLA was represented by members of a variety of campus service
organizations, including Alpha Phi Omega (a national service
fraternity), Bruin Belles and Bruincorps.
Abdo said the children come to the events voluntarily, which
“says a lot in terms of how much fun they have.”
“The kids get really jazzed about it. Meeting actual
students is a thrill for them,” Abdo said.
UCLA also beat USC in Reading to Kids’ first College
Spirit Day last year.
Abdo, a USC alumna, said she was “sad to report … UCLA
held on to its role as overall champion.”
Compiled by Shaun Bishop, Bruin senior staff.