The Hoops4L.YJ!'JE campers have pledged to read lftOO books during their
10-week program.
Nonprofit pushes kids
to read during summer
BY TIMOTHY RAMSEY
THE CHRONICLE
During summer vaca
tion, many students relax
and get their minds off of
the previous school year.
Brittany Ward, director of
the nonprofit
Hoops4L.Y.F.E. (HFL),
wanted to go in a different
direction with her summer
camp students by having
them participate in a litera
cy program instead.
The goal for the stu
dents are to collectively
read 1,000 books over a
10-week period. The 25
students in her summer
camp have pledged to read
at least one hour per day to
reach their goal at the end
of the summer.
“Here in the city we are
fighting childhood literacy,
so sports are my way to get
them in, but they need aca
demics to get them to that
next level,” said Ward. “I
think the reading program
is definitely beneficial for
them to be able to reach
their goals.”
During the camp, the
young students visit the
Carver School Road
Library several times a
week to read books. The
campers are also read
books by volunteer
LaShunda Booker twice
per week.
“The Hoops4L.Y.F.E
literacy program allows
me to practice on my craft
of storytelling,” said
Booker. “It enhances my
gift, performance skills
and showmanship.”
“The literacy program
allows children to enhance
their minds,” she contin
ued. “It also allows them
to stretch, strengthen and
soar their imaginations by
reading on a daily basis.
Reading daily exercises
the mind, which evokes
critical thinking."
The literacy program is
a large part of the summer
enrichment program HFL
offers kids. The kids are
also given the opportunity
to learn arts and crafts,
learn creative writing
skills, visit the movies and
take several, education field
trips to show them what
can be possible if they fol
low their educational
dreams.
Ward says she hopes
that other organizations
will jump on board with
some sort of literacy pro
gram during the summer
months to impact as many
children as possible.
“It is a waste of time to
train a child just for sports
and not tackle the class
room achievement gaps
they may be experiencing
as well,” she said.
■ r,“
CIAA ranks WSSU
3rd in volleyball
SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE
CHARLOTTE — The Central
Intercollegiate Athletic Association
(CIAA) in conjunction with its Volleyball
Coaches Association announces the 2018
Predicted Order of Finish and Preseason
Team.
The Bears of Shaw University have
been predicted to lead the conference this
season after earning the Southern
Division title and a conference champi
onship runner-up finish in 2017. The
Lady Bears are coming off a nearly per
fect conference record, going 9-1 in the
South and 15-1 in CIAA play. The Shaw
program enters the upcoming season with
anticipation of an announcement of a new
head coach.
Last year's champion Rams of
Winston-Salem State University are
ranked third in the coaches' preseason
poll, behind the Broncos of Fayetteville
State University. After defeating the Bears
3-0 in die CIAA Championship, WSSU.
advanced to the first round of the NCAA
Division II Atlantic Region Tournament,
where the Rams were defeated by
Wheeling Jesuit University. The Rams
also enter the season under new leader
ship, as Kathy Bullock was announced
head coach in early August.
Returning players to watch this season
include Mia Herrod of Winston-Salem
State and Kelly Murphy of Shaw. In 2017,
Herrod led the CIAA with 276 total kills,
accounting for 2.71 kills per set (third in
CIAA). Herrod was named to the 2017
All-CLAA First Team and, upon sealing
the Championship tide, was named to the
All-Tournament Team. Murphy is a three
time preseason and All-Conference selec
tion, including being named Player of the
Year in 2015. Last season she ranked sec
ond in the conference in total points, scor
ing 316.5. Additionally, Murphy tallied
246 total kills and 316 digs on the season
before being named to the All
Tournament Team for her championship
tournament performance.
The 2018 CIAA volleyball season will
open on Friday, Aug.24.
2017 CIAA Volleyball Preseason
Honors
Predicted Order of Finish
1.Shaw
v
2. Fayetteville State
3. Winston-Salem State
4. Chowan
5. Virginia State
6. Johnson C. Smith
7. Claflin
8. Virginia Union
9. Saint Augustine's
10. Bowie State
11. Lincoln (PA)
12. Livingstone
13. Elizabeth City State
Northern Division
Chowan
Virginia State
Virginia Union
Bowie State
Lincoln (PA)
Elizabeth City State
Southern Division
Shaw
Fayetteville State
Winston-Salem State
Johnson C. Smith
Claflin
Saint Augustine's
Livingstone
Outside Hitters
Gorana Bogdanovic, Johnson
C. Smith*
Kelly Murphy, Shaw
Jailyn Ivey, Virginia State
Middle Hitters/Blockers
Topanga Moten, Shaw*
Saraya Klink, Shaw*
Hailey Heyward, Virginia State*
Right-Side Hitters
Keveesha Watdey, Shaw*
Mia Herrod, Winston-Salem*
Setters
Michelle Olmeda-Gonzalez, Shaw*
A'rmaria Wright, Virginia Union
Libero
Akira Baker, Virginia Union
; ^ ■ ■" rf..
Utility
Tiara Ramey, Virginia State
*2017 All-CLAA First Team Members
*
Photos by Timothy Ramsey
Brittany Ward, left, sits with her campers as they read their books at the Carver
School Road Library.
AUGUST 27 - 30
VS SALEM RED SOX
MONDAY, AUGUST 27 - 7:00 PM
TUESDAY, AUGUST 28 - 7:00 PM
FOOTBALL NIGHT
Wear Your Favorite Football Jersey!
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 29 - 7:00 PM
PUPS IN THE PARK
Presented by North Davidson Animal Hospital & Camel City Goods
First 25 Dogs in attendance receive a dog bandana courtesy of Camel City Goods
Buy your $5 Pooch Pass in Advance
THURSDAY. AUGUST 30 - 7:00 PM
LOWES FOODS THIRSTY THURSDAY
Select $1 Beer Specials
PUPS IN THE PARK
Presented by North Davidson Animal Hospital & Camel City Goods
First 25 Dogs in attendance receive a dog bandana courtesy of Camel City Goods
Buy your $5 Pooch Pass in Advance
CAROLINA LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
J Festival Starts
5 00 PM
Ir~ 1. Game Starts
7:00 PM
wmm
KIDS RUN THE BASES
Friday, September 7
Food Truck Festival visit wsdash com or call 336.714 2207 fob
Friday, September 7 more information and to purchase tickets
OGODEUS ■ WtKEr08ESTSP0RTS.C0M • 330-788-3322 BB&T HELD
2018 WAKE FOREST FOOTBALL
SEASON TICKETS
& MINI PLANS
ON SALE NOW
PACKAGES STARTING AT $99
I