Rewarding Reads: How St. Cloud is Boosting Literacy with Baseball

The St. Cloud Rox Reading Program has hit a home run with participation in 2025. Since its launch in 2012, the program has grown to include over 20, 000 students from 59 elementary schools. This initiative is all about getting kids excited about reading outside of school hours. It isn't just about reading more. It's about fostering a genuine love for books. This effort involves a lot of people. Teachers, parents, school staff, and administrators all play a part. But the program wouldn't be where it is today without the support of Magnifi Financial. They have been a key partner since the very beginning. The program works like this. Teachers set a goal for how many minutes students should read. Those who meet this goal get a pair of tickets to a Rox game and a team backpack. But there are bigger prizes too. Three students will win a $250 savings account. Three teachers will get $250 gift cards. One school will even get $1, 000 to upgrade its library. This isn't just about rewards, though. It's about building skills that will last a lifetime. Reading boosts confidence and literacy. It's a win-win for everyone involved. The program runs from April 7th to April 28th. So far, over 157, 000 students in Central Minnesota have taken part. That's a lot of young readers! The St. Cloud Rox baseball team starts their season on May 26th. Their home opener is on May 30th. You can catch all the action on AM 1390 and FM 93. 9 Granite City Sports. It's a great way to combine sports and reading. But it's not just about the games. It's about the impact on the community. By encouraging reading, the program is helping to build a brighter future for these students. The St. Cloud Rox Reading Program is more than just a reading challenge. It's a community effort to inspire a love for books. It's a chance for students to win prizes and for schools to improve their libraries. But most importantly, it's about giving kids the tools they need to succeed. So, let's cheer for the Rox and for the power of reading.