Beckley, WV (WOAY) – Students from Raleigh County are spending part of their summer break reading and learning at Stratton Elementary School in Beckley through Energy Express, and on Monday they got a visit from one of the state’s most recognizable figures.
Reese Allen, West Virginia University’s newest Mountaineer, sat down with the kids to read, answer their questions about life in the uniform, and share what he loves about his home state.
Energy Express is a six-week reading and nutrition program that runs through the WVU Extension Service. It keeps children engaged with reading, activities, and hands-on learning while school is out, and it provides meals throughout the summer.
“So Energy Express is a reading and nutrition program that is set up for students to prevent the summer slide and to just provide nutritious meals for the whole community,” said Kaylen Parks, Energy Express community coordinator. “These programs are set in these specific areas for a reason. So they’re meeting the needs of the communities that are surrounding them.”
For Allen, a West Virginia native, days like this are a chance to connect with kids in the southern part of the state.
“So it’s important to just show up for all parts of the state because WVU and the Mountaineer have the privilege to do so,” Allen said. “We get to talk to all the different wonderful parts of our great home.”
“It just speaks to the truth of being West Virginia. It’s about people. It’s about culture, it’s about place, and we’re happy to be here,” he said.
Energy Express operates at dozens of sites across West Virginia each summer, according to WVU Extension. Parks said the Stratton site already has a waiting list, and the program is still looking for community volunteers.
“We are always looking for volunteers, willing for anybody to come in at any time and spend time with us,” Parks said.
