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Phantoms visit St. Christine School
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Berkle and Higgins had no problem getting up close and personal with the St. Christine’s students for a photo to commemorate the Phantom’s special visit.
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Youngstown Phantoms players Adam Berkle (left) and Stuart Higgins visited St. Christine School on March 7 and read a book about Ohio landmarks to Cynthia Ricci’s students.
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After the reading, the Higgins and Berkle graciously signed autographs for a long line of young fans.
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Adrianna Parella (right) looked very excited as she received her personalized autograph from Adam Berkle and Stuart Higgins.
By SARAH FOOR
When Youngstown Phantoms players Adam Berkle and Stuart Higgins visited St. Christine School on March 8, the purpose was to read to the school’s fourth-graders and teach them the ins and outs of hockey.
However, both players were surprised when they managed to leave the school learning something new as well.
Cynthia Ricci’s fourth-grade classroom recently finished a social studies unit on Ohio, so Berkle and Higgins decided to read the book “Welcome to the U.S.A.: Ohio” by Ann Heinrichs.
After taking the students on an imaginary tour through Ohio, Berkle shared why the book was informative to him and his teammate.
“We’re not from the area, actually,” Berkle shared. “I’m from Philadelphia, and Stu is from Troy, Mich., so we really learned a lot about where you guys live.”
“That’s why books are so great,” Higgins added. “Everyone can learn something new.”
After the reading, the players held a question-and-answer session during which they answered questions about their lives as hockey players.
Berkle found a friend in student William Fletcher Christie when they discovered a common dislike for the Pittsburgh Penguins hockey team.
Adrianna Parella asked the hockey pros, “How many cars do you have?”
Proving they don’t live the extravagant life of some pro athletes, both answered with a laugh, “Just one.”
After thanking the students and saying goodbye, Berkle and Higgins shared why they like reading to classrooms like the fourth-graders at St. Christine’s.
“Hockey isn’t a sport that this part of Ohio plays a lot of,” Berkle shared. “We like to share with the kids something that is mostly new to them.”
“These are usually really early in the morning,” Higgins said, admitting the hours don’t always agree with him. “But the energy we see from the kids, and how interested they are in what we do, gives me a boost every time.”