In partnership with The Najim Charitable Foundation and UTSA Athletics, Harlandale ISD has launched The 6th Grade Reading Challenge, a new initiative designed to increase student reading engagement and build personal home libraries.
The Reading Challenge is set to kick off on September 24 and will run through October 24, culminating in special campus celebrations and student recognition. Sixth grade students who read three books and complete reading journal entries will earn the opportunity to attend the 2025 San Antonio Basketball Challenge, an exhibition basketball event sponsored by The Najim Charitable Foundation.
UTSA Athletics will host the San Antonio Challenge on Saturday, October 25 at the Convocation Center, which is celebrating its 50th year. The event will feature the UTSA women’s basketball team taking on Texas A&M–San Antonio at 1:00 p.m., followed by the UTSA men’s basketball team facing UIW at 3:30 p.m. Proceeds from the event will directly benefit Roadrunner student-athletes and support literacy and educational initiatives, including Harlandale ISD’s Reading Challenge.
“Our students now have the chance to start personal libraries that will grow with them,” said Mr. Gerardo Soto, Harlandale ISD Superintendent “Having books at home can open the door to imagination, knowledge and opportunity, and that’s something every child deserves. This challenge is about more than meeting goals; it’s about giving students access to a world that reading can unlock. We are incredibly grateful to The Najim Charitable Foundation and UTSA Athletics for partnering with us to make this possible for our students.”
As part of the challenge, students will earn rewards as they progress through reading goals. The first book they complete will be theirs to keep, helping them begin their own personal library. After two books, they can redeem a snack on campus, and by the third book, they’ll receive a “Reading Champion” certificate along with admission to the San Antonio Basketball Challenge. Additional milestones include recognition as a “Super Reader” at five books, public acknowledgment for completing seven to 10 books, and the chance for top readers to be entered into a drawing for a tablet and bookshelf preloaded with books. Teachers will also be recognized through classroom library grants of $500–$1,000 for achieving the highest percentage of books read among their students.
Fans who attend the San Antonio Challenge will not only enjoy a great game but will also directly impact both UTSA student-athletes and Harlandale ISD students through this shared commitment to gain greater access to books and reading opportunities.