About 50 Fauquier County elementary school students came down with Falcon fever on Oct. 23. Symptoms included excitability, joy, and an insatiable desire to read books.

Fauquier FRESH supported Brumfield Elementary, Bradley Elementary, and the Fauquier High School football team to host Literacy Under the Lights at Falcon Field. Students and their families ran (repeatedly) through the imposing Falcons tunnel, played literacy games, and listened to stories read by FHS football players. Every child also went home with free books provided by FRESH.

The idea came from Fauquier High School Head Football Coach Don Downs, who learned about a similar event from another school division. He shared the concept with Brumfield Elementary Principal Tara Kidwell, who has a child on the team. Excitement grew as the partners began planning, each adding their own strengths to bring the idea to life. 

Downs gave his players a pep talk as the children began to arrive at Falcon Field. “Remember, this night isn’t about you. It’s about those kids… What are you going to say if they ask you if you read?”

The players responded, “Yes!”

Downs pushed, “How often do you read?”

His team shouted, “All the time” and their coach nodded approval.

Downs did a little literary cheerleading with the children as well. He encouraged them to read and shared his favorite childhood book – “Salt in His Shoes: Michael Jordan in Pursuit of a Dream.”

As the children sat on blankets on the field, Falcon team members read stories. They were engaged and patient with the children’s constant questions. Some of them even turned the pages as if they wanted to know what would happen next. The players played cornhole and cheered while the kids ran through obstacle courses.  Further down the field, reading specialists Nell Lawrence and Tesa Standish led hands-on learning stations where students hopped, jumped, and read their way through games teaching students about contractions and sentence fluency.

Kathy Crane, elementary language arts supervisor for the Fauquier County School Division, was present for Literacy Under the Lights and noticed when the Fauquier Falcon mascot made an appearance. Born and raised in Fauquier, she said she used to play that part. She looked over at the silky fur and sculptured headpiece on the current mascot. 

Five young children danced around the Falcon, asking for high fives and hugs. One said, “You look like a chicken,” and Crane laughed, “Some things don’t change.”

Despite all of the fun games and amusements set up by FRESH, some of the children just wanted to throw, catch and kick the football, coached by the young men in the red jerseys. The players were happy to oblige. 

“One of our core program principles is to give back to the Fauquier County community, and Literacy Under the Lights truly brought that principle to life,” said Coach Downs. “Now that we have one event under our belt, we’re excited to make this a yearly tradition and watch it grow. I am incredibly proud of our players for embracing the spirit of giving back and for the joy they brought to the younger students. They showed what it means to be leaders and role models, and it’s an honor to watch the young men they are becoming.”

Brumfield Elementary Principal Tara Kidwell shared Coach Downs’ sentiment. “This event brought together two of my greatest passions—literacy and football. I am excited to see how Literacy Under the Lights continues to grow in the years ahead.”