R.E.A.L. Men Read literacy project targets APS second-graders

More than 180 male volunteers will fan out among Atlanta Public Schools’ 4,000 second-graders to help boost literacy through the R.E.A.L. Men Read program. Started in Chicago’s public school system and then to Houston, R.E.A.L. (“read, excel, achieve, lead”) Men Read hopes to solve two ongoing concerns: the lack of visible male role models who read, and the lack of books available in the homes of young students.

The volunteers will make monthly visits to the elementary schools over the next sixth months, introducing the students to books by reading to them, and then offering a seventh book for summer reading. The program enjoyed a kickoff event on Nov. 9 at The New Schools at Carver, with a reception featuring a version of “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands” by Carver School of the Arts senior DeAngela Glaze. (Watch her entire performance here.) Motivational speaker Mike Howard served as MC, and the program featured appearances by SRT-3 Executive Director Michael Pitts, Atlanta City Council member Ceasar Mitchell, APS literacy director Monishae Mosley-O’Neill, a videotaped speech by Ambassador Andrew Young, and an appearance by Greg Worrell, president of Scholastic Classroom and Library Group.

Watch the video above, which includes highlights from the program along with an in-depth explanation of the program by Mosley-O’Neill.

High school playoffs: Mays High vs. Clarke Central High

We continue our high school playoff coverage with a preview of Mays High vs. Clarke Central High, courtesy of Mays High senior and Summit newspaper sports editor Drew Underwood:

ALSO: Check out Southerner staffer Mason Gepps‘ preview of tonight’s Grady-Gilmer match-up here.

UPDATE: Mays fell 52-31. Scoreboard.

The Mays Raiders football team’s first playoff game (Region 6AAAA) will be a rematch of last year’s first round match up of the Class AAAA playoffs against the Clarke Central Gladiators. The Raiders’ 7-3 record earned them a tough game on the road against an experienced Clarke Central team. The teams will take the field tonight at 7:30 p.m. from Billy Henderson Stadium in Athens. With talented offensive weapons from both teams, this game is anticipated to be shootout that may be decided by the last possession.

The Gladiators are the favorites to win, coming off of an undefeated season, but the Raiders come into the game riding a wave of momentum after a 54-0 win last week against Chamblee. Last season, the Gladiators were able to come from behind to defeat the Raiders 31-28 in a game that went down to the wire, for their first playoff win since 1997. They would ultimately lose in the state championship game.

High school playoffs: Grady High vs. Gilmer High

We continue our high school football playoff coverage with a return appearance by Grady High student and Southerner newspaper staffer Mason Gepp, who was spot-on in his preview of the Grady-Cedar Grove game. Here Gepp previews the Grady-Gilmer game:

ALSO: Check out Summit sports editor Drew Underdwood’s preview of tonight’s Mays High-Clarke Central playoff game in Athens here.

UPDATE: Grady won 48-0! Scoreboard.

The Grady High Grey Knights look to continue their playoff run when they host Gilmer High’s Bobcats tonight at 7:30 p.m. at Grady Stadium in the first round of the state playoffs in football. The Knights are coming off last week’s explosive ground-game win over the Cedar Grove Saints. The Bobcats are looking to upset Grady’s high-powered play on both sides of the ball. The region 7B-AAA (and third-ranked) Bobcats have a record of 5-5 with a 3-2 region record. Both records pale in comparison to the region champion 5B-AAA Grey Knights’ 9-1 record, including an undefeated 6-0 record in region play. (The most impressive win came from a 7-6 upset over last season’s region champion, the St. Pius X Golden Lions.)