Reading Under the Lights 2025 - It is well known that reading aloud to children offers numerous advantages that extend beyond literacy skills. On Friday, April 25, community partners-United Way of Lea County, Hobbs Campaign for Grade-Level Reading, the JF Maddox Foundation, and Hobbs Municipal Schools invites families to gather at Watson Stadium for the annual “Reading Under the Lights” event. This community celebration underscores the profound impact of reading aloud to children, emphasizing its role in fostering lifelong learning and strengthening family bonds, and brings our community together in support of our children.
According to numerous educational experts, and what we witness every day in classrooms across the district, there are seven key benefits to reading aloud to your child as much as you can in their formative years. Reading aloud to your child enhances language skills. Regular reading introduces children to a richer vocabulary and complex sentence structures, aiding in language acquisition and communication abilities. Cognitive development using engaging stories stimulates brain regions associated with comprehension and imagination, laying the groundwork for critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Reading consistently helps children with academic preparedness. Children exposed to reading before preschool are more likely to excel academically, as early literacy experiences build foundational skills necessary for school success. Another benefit is the strengthening of parent-child bonds. Shared reading time fosters emotional connections between parents and children, creating a nurturing environment that supports learning and development. Reading aloud improves overall concentration and discipline. Consistent reading routines help children develop longer attention spans and better listening and verbal skills, which are crucial for academic achievement. Stories transport children to different worlds, encouraging creative thinking and expanding their understanding of diverse perspectives. This stimulates imagination and creativity. Lastly, the cultivation of a lifelong love for reading and creating positive reading experiences instill a passion for storytelling while motivating children to become independent readers themselves. It is always the goal create life long learners and literacy opens the door to it.
Dixie Rosier, Assistant Superintendent of Learning and Instruction for Hobbs Municipal Schools, emphasizes the importance of parental involvement in children's literacy development. Rosier's insights align with the district's commitment to fostering educational partnerships between schools and families, recognizing that collaborative efforts are essential for student success.
"Reading shouldn't be confined to the classroom. When parents actively engage in reading with their children, it reinforces the value of education and nurtures a love for learning that extends into all areas of life," Rosier says. “We see also that the bonding time between the parents and the child also fosters conversation about what they are reading and helps the child understand and retain information as it is linked to shared time with each other. This time is priceless, and parents are such an vital part of reinforcing what we teach them in the classroom by reading to their child.”
Community partners play a vital role, with United Way of Lea County, Hobbs Campaign for Grade-Level Reading, the JF Maddox Foundation and Hobbs Schools joining forces with shared dedication, to do all they can to help literacy levels in Hobbs. Their shared commitment to this endeavor as an annual event and working with Hobbs Schools is the cornerstone for success to inspire the community to participate in this unique event. Superintendent Gene Strickland highlights the significance of community involvement in promoting literacy. "Our community partners are integral to the success of events like 'Reading Under the Lights.' Their support not only enhances the experience, but also reinforces the message that literacy is a shared responsibility. By working together, we can ensure that every child in our region has the opportunity to develop the reading skills essential for their future lives. Hobbs Schools is committed to setting children up for success and helping to develop and improve their reading skills,” said Strickland. “Out of the box events like Reading Under the Lights demonstrate that not all literacy-based initiatives have to happen during school hours. This event gives us and our community the opportunity to show our children that literacy activities can be meaningful and enjoyable, anytime and anywhere."
Reading Under the Lights" is a free event on April 25 from 5:00-8:30 pm at Watson Stadium on the Hobbs High school campus and open to all Hobbs families. “Attendees can look forward to Live storytelling sessions by community members, interactive reading activities for children of all ages, information booths offering resources on literacy and educational programs,” Rosier says. “The most important part for us all is the opportunities to connect with educators and for parents to have a fun event that they will share together involving literacy at the core. Families are encouraged to bring blankets and favorite books to enjoy a cozy evening of reading and community engagement under the Watson Stadium lights.”
Featured event speaker is Ashley Roberts, a former University of Texas basketball player, author, mentor, and entrepreneur with over 18 years of experience in the game. A passionate advocate for student-athletes, Ashley has dedicated her career to helping young students and their families navigate the path to success—on and off the court. Her two books, The Little Girl with Big Dreams and Changing Lanes: Using Sports as a Vehicle to Drive Success On and Off the Court, focus on character building, overcoming adversity, and building confidence. “I am honored to stand alongside United Way of Lea County, Hobbs Campaign for Grade-Level Reading, the Maddox Foundation, and the Hobbs Municipal Schools in their collective mission to promote literacy and encourage kids to discover the joy of reading—because success starts with the turn of a page,” Roberts said.
As Hobbs prepares for this illuminating event, the community at Hobbs Schools is reminded of the transformative power of reading aloud to instill creativity, cognition and retention in young minds. By dedicating time to share stories, parents and caregivers not only enhance their children's academic prospects but also create cherished memories that last a lifetime. Our children are our greatest asset and our future in Lea County. Hobbs Schools is proud every day to be entrusted to inspire our students, and to open doors for them through education the opportunities awaiting them for their unique futures.
For more information about ‘Reading Under the Lights,’ please contact Hobbs Municipal Schools at (575) 433-0100 , visit www.hobbsschools.net, or you can contact Elizabeth Wieser at Hobbs Campaign for Grade Level Reading at ewieser@jfmaddox.org.