Members of the Saint Mary's College Men's and Women's Soccer teams were able to find some time in their busy schedules over the past week to go out to Happy Valley Elementary School and read to the students and participate in their Character Counts! program.

Last Monday, Jose Cabeza, Michael Jachetta, Duncan Capriotti, Dylan Leslie, and Augie Cazarez from the men's soccer team went to Happy Valley and Natalie Powell, Kate Brenot, Erin Kearney, Maya Matsumoto, and Amelia Salazar from the women's soccer team went this past Monday . All of the student-athletes read a story to the kids and then spent a few minutes talking about how responsibility plays a part in their life as a student-athlete, as part of Happy Valley's Character Counts! program. After all of this, the student-athletes then answered questions, signed autographs, and handed out tickets.

It is great to have the opportunity for our girls to make an impact in the lives of the local community. We love to work with the Lamorinda area whenever we get a chance. We put a smile on the kid's faces and the kid's put a smile on our team's faces", said women's soccer coach Kai Edwards.

Happy Valley Principal Wendy Patterson had this to say about the reading program, "As we begin year two of a district-wide focus on implementation of the Character Counts! framework, we are thrilled to partner with the student-athletes from Saint Mary's College. Over the past week, men's and women's soccer players went into the classrooms to read a story and to share personal thoughts about the value and importance of "Responsibility", our focus pillar during the month of September. The Happy Valley children are excited by their visits with these inspiring young adults and look forward to future visits by Saint Mary's student-athletes."

The soccer team's return to the field on Friday, September 24, when the men travel to Stanford for a 7pm game and the women's team hosts Washington at 4pm.