Readers are Leaders is a program held by athletes around the country to read to troubled elementary school kids.

South Lakes began contributing to the program in 2003 with the basketball team, and the baseball team has become involved this year as well.

“It’s just a wonderful way of giving back to the community and getting to know someone who’s not your age,” head baseball coach Galvin Morris said. “I think those elementary kids look up to high school kids, especially high school athletes.”

Morris enjoys seeing the faces of children who are reading with older students.

“I love doing it,” Morris said. “You should see the expressions on kids’ faces when we show up. That’s what I get out of it. I remember there was this one little girl, this big guy was reading to her, and she was real shy but by the time he had finished reading, she felt really comfortable with him. It’s really heart touching when I see that.”

Readers are Leaders has as much an impact on both the elementary school students and the high school students as well.

“It’s good to give back for community service,” junior Jared Abelson said. “But, also it just feels good. You get more leadership skills, mentoring skills, you get to change a kids life.”