Easton Area School District students also got a chance to meet the Leopard’s mascot, Roary. (Photo | Rick Smith)
By Kelly Huth
A roar of thunderous applause filled Kirby Sports Center Jan. 21 as Teresa Kiewiet ’27 and Haylie Adamski ’29 scored three-pointers early in their matchup against Boston University.
Twelve hundred Easton Area School District (EASD) fifth and sixth graders cheered on the women’s basketball team at the annual School Day Game. Easton students traveled to campus and spent the day learning from, and playing alongside, Lafayette student-athletes inside Kirby Sports Center.
“There is a special kind of magic that happens when Kirby Sports Center Arena is filled with the energy of 1,200 Easton Area School District students,” said Sherryta Freeman, director of athletics. “This game is about more than just basketball; it’s about strengthening the bond between Lafayette and the city we call home. I love watching our student-athletes interact with our young fans and continue to be amazed by the energy that emanates from the building. It’s one of my favorite events of the year!”
Now in its sixth year, School Day Game is made possible through a partnership with Lafayette’s Landis Center for Community Engagement, EASD, and Wells Fargo.
“We live and work in this community—this is our way to give back to the Easton area,” said William Della Vecchia, district manager, Wells Fargo.
Della Vecchia looks forward each year to seeing the looks on the kids’ faces when they arrive on campus and how loud they get in the gym. “Honestly, their energy is amazing.”
School Day Game provides students with an opportunity to visit a college campus and to experience Division I athletics.
“We promote career and college readiness, and for a lot of our students this is the first time they’re on a college campus, and this is a great introduction,” said Jennifer Hilton, EASD director of teaching and learning. “They see how hard these Division I athletes work and the reward that comes from that hard work.”
Before the game, volunteers from Lafayette women’s and men’s lacrosse played duck-duck goose, ran relay races, practiced dribbling, and talked about life at Lafayette. Cheers went up as the Leopards’ mascot, Roary, joined in the games.
For Yasmine Williams, a fifth grader at Cheston Elementary who wants to be a teacher when she grows up, the best part of the day was getting to meet Lafayette’s student-athletes.
“Our players are so excited—they love connecting with the community and they’re really happy to be part of this event,” said Katie McConnell, head coach of women’s lacrosse. “Our players talk to them about leadership, what it’s like at Lafayette, and about being a student-athlete.”
It was the first year for volunteer Jordan Siemonsen ’26, a member of the women’s lacrosse team. She said her group of fifth graders was so excited to be on a college campus.
“I think it’s such a great way to bring the college and community together,” Siemonsen said.
For fifth graders Madison Tate and Alex Lantinga, of Shawnee Elementary, and Job Keyes, of March Elementary, the highlight was the basketball game. Sixth grader Mia Duque, of Easton Area Middle School, couldn’t wait for halftime games to start. Xiomara Lopez, a fifth grader from Palmer Elementary, even made customized friendship bracelets for each member of the women’s basketball team.
Cathy Hay, a fifth-grade teacher at Shawnee Elementary, said the kids really look forward to this event all year. Hay said the School Day Game provides a really positive connection to Lafayette for her students.
“We love this event, and we love supporting the women’s basketball team,” Hay said. “Lafayette is a hallmark of Easton, and it’s nice for them to be able to experience it in this way.”
