Giving Back to my Hometown
January 01, 2020
Having been raised in Arkadelphia, I was given a lot of opportunities to interact
with college students while growing up. I remember seeing Ouachita students come
to my school throughout my childhood to play with us at recess. I was happy to be
able to continue this tradition with the OBU Baseball Team this past semester. We
were given the privilege to go to various schools in Arkadelphia to read to a class
once a week. I was assigned to Peake Elementary School where I was able to read to
a 4th grade class. We had three baseball players assigned to each class so we were able
to split the class into three groups and read them a book every week.
At first the kids were a little hesitant on what to think about us when we came to
read to them. But as the weeks went on, you could tell that they were looking forward
to us coming, and you could see their faces light up every time we walked in the door.
We were able to develop relationships with these kids and by the time the semester
was over we had every kid’s name down, even developing a few nicknames for each other.
Being able to serve at Peake Elementary was a true blessing. As a former student
from Arkadelphia, it gave me joy seeing OBU involved in the schools. I know it will
impact these kids, just as it impacted me growing up. It was a great experience not
only getting to hang out with these kids, but to also be able to read to them and
show them how important education is. I have never seen so many kids excited to read
a book. I am thankful for the opportunity that the baseball team and the Elrod Center
gave me by letting me do this program. I know that we are making a difference in
the community, but it also made a difference in my life, because I was able to give
back to my hometown.
Will Wallace, Business Administration/Management Major
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