Sept. 19, 2006

COLUMBIA, Mo. - University of Missouri student-athletes, in conjunction with the MU College of Education, are helping to promote literacy and encourage children to read with the Starlight Reading Program.

Through the Starlight Reading Program, a Missouri student-athlete reads a book to a selected elementary school in the state via satellite every Wednesday at 10 a.m. Once finished, the student-athlete has a question and answer session with the students. The student will then autograph a copy of the book, which will be placed in the school's library.

This week, Tiger soccer player Maddie Senkosky will read a book to Mill Creek Elementary School in Independence, Mo. Football player Jeremy Maclin kicked off this year's schedule last week when he read to Bryant Elementary School, also in Independence. Approximately 30 student-athletes participate in the program each academic year.