North Texas students logged over a million minutes of reading time this basketball season, said Dallas Mavericks community relations leaders. The franchise recently concluded this season’s Mavs Reading Challenge, presented by Whataburger, and 994 students participated.
The Mavs Reading Challenge is a 40-day program designed to improve reading literacy throughout North Texas and encourage the love of reading for kids of all ages. The Mavericks and Whataburger challenged students (grades K-12) to read, or be read to, for a minimum of 20 minutes per day for 40 days.
All participants who logged 20 minutes a day for at least 40 days had the opportunity to receive the Whataburger Completion Certificate, a free meal from participating locations, and a Mavs swag bag.
The top reader this season logged an outstanding 15,683 minutes; they will receive a mascot visit to their classroom, along with Mavs and Whataburger gear.
The Top 20 young Mavs fans who read and logged the most minutes during the Mavs Reading Challenge will receive two tickets to a Mavs game for the 2023-24 season.
Reading literacy has been a longtime focus for the Dallas Mavericks. The organization held its final Mavs Reading Timeout of the season with LL Hotchkiss Elementary Prep students.
Dallas Mavs great Rolando Blackman was the special guest speaker for the festive pep rally, and Mavs emcee Chris Arnold hosted the event. The organization’s entertainment team was also on hand to create a special day for the students. Blackman signed autographs, visited with the youth and the Mavs hosted a fun trivia game with special prizes.
After arriving in the United States at eight years old from his native Panama, Blackman spoke very little English and worked with teachers for hours before school to learn how to read and write. He understood the benefit of books from a young age, and now he hopes to inspire kids to step forward into their futures with excitement and ambition.
“I think anytime you talk about my life, you’re talking about a life of education,” Blackman told the youth. “Reading books is a fantastic way to consume information, and you have the opportunity to travel in your mind and progress mentally. You can do so many things by grabbing a book, time after time. Lives are enhanced by reading books.”
Throughout the season, the Mavs held numerous Mavs Reading Timeouts featuring Mavs players, legends, entertainers and other notable community leaders.
The events took place at schools and public libraries across North Texas.
“Reading transformed me,” Blackman told students. “I encourage you to go out and open your world to books.”
To check out the Dallas Mavs Reading List for children with a focus on racial equality and social justice, visit here.
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