Baxter the Bearcat and six of his friends, student athletes from Binghamton University's Wrestling Team, shared the importance of reading with Clayton Avenue second-graders when they stopped by on January 15 as part of "Baxter's Book Tour."
The athletes read some favorite children's books to each class from authors like Dr. Seuss, and then read a special book the children had never heard before!.. It was entitled "Baxter the Bearcat Explores Binghamton University." The second-graders enjoyed the guest readers, the new book and a visit from Baxter himself very much!
"It's been an incredible experience having the opportunity for our student athletes to read to local second-graders; sometimes I think they're more excited than the elementary students are," said B.U. Athletics Ticket Sales Manager Michael Majewski. "We see 'Baxter the Bearcat Explores Binghamton University' as our way of giving back to the community."
The book, produced by Binghamton University's Deputy Athletic Director Dennis Kalina and Assistant Athletic Directors Erin Moore and Brian Jester, was given as a gift to each second-grade classroom. At the end of reading time, Baxter and friends also posed for group photos with each classroom.
Clayton Avenue Elementary was not the only Vestal school on Baxter's Book Tour stop! Athletes from Binghamton University's Swimming & Diving team were at Vestal Hills on Monday to read to second-graders, and give a copy of "Baxter the Bearcat Explores Binghamton University" to each second-grade classroom.