Harlandale Independent School District has partnered with The Najim Charitable Foundation and UTSA Athletics to launch the 6th Grade Reading Challenge, an exciting initiative designed to boost student reading engagement and help build personal home libraries.
The Reading Challenge kicked off on September 24 and will run through October 24, culminating in special campus celebrations and recognition for participating students. Sixth-grade students who read three books and complete corresponding reading journal entries will earn the chance to attend the 2025 San Antonio Basketball Challenge, an exhibition basketball event sponsored by The Najim Charitable Foundation.
The San Antonio Challenge will take place on Saturday, October 25, at UTSA’s Convocation Center, which is celebrating its 50th year. The event will feature the UTSA women’s basketball team facing Texas A&M–San Antonio at 1:00 p.m., followed by the UTSA men’s team taking on UIW at 3:30 p.m. Proceeds from the event will directly benefit Roadrunner student-athletes and support literacy and educational initiatives, including the Harlandale ISD Reading Challenge.
“Our students now have the chance to start personal libraries that will grow with them,” said Mr. Gerardo Soto, Harlandale ISD Superintendent. “Having books at home can open the door to imagination, knowledge, and opportunity, and that’s something every child deserves. This challenge is about more than meeting goals; it’s about giving students access to a world that reading can unlock. We are incredibly grateful to The Najim Charitable Foundation and UTSA Athletics for partnering with us to make this possible for our students.”
Students will earn rewards as they reach reading milestones. The first book they complete will be theirs to keep, helping them begin their personal library. After completing two books, students can redeem a snack on campus. Reading a third book earns them a “Reading Champion” certificate and admission to the San Antonio Basketball Challenge. Additional milestones include recognition as a “Super Reader” after reading five books, public acknowledgment for completing seven to ten books, and the opportunity for top readers to be entered into a drawing for a tablet and a bookshelf preloaded with books. Teachers will also be honored with classroom library grants of $500–$1,000 for achieving the highest percentage of books read among their students.
Fans attending the San Antonio Challenge will not only enjoy an exciting basketball experience but also have the opportunity to support a great cause. Still, they will also directly contribute to helping both UTSA student-athletes and Harlandale ISD students through a shared commitment to literacy and educational growth.
