Subterranean Books Hosts UCHS Rock and Read Event

On Friday afternoon, students began a at to raise money for a summer freshman reading program.

Subterranean owner Kelly von Plonski said she first heard of the idea when she read about another store doing it elsewhere in the United States. She then contacted UCHS English teacher Caroline Hackmeyer, who started planning the event in early March.

"Kelly from Subterranean contacted me with the idea around the same time that [UCHS] assistant principal Dayle Burgdorf asked me about doing a summer freshman reading project, so things came together relatively quickly," Hackmeyer said.

During the event, UCHS students sat in rocking chairs in Subterranean's storefront window and read books of their choosing, which included "The Outsiders," "I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell" and "Get Well Soon." You might think that it would be distracting to read in a storefront on Delmar, but some of them got so caught up in their books that they barely noticed the people around them.

UCHS freshman Robert Shorter had two reasons for participating in the Rock and Read fundraiser.

"I just like volunteering, and it's important to read - I enjoy it," he said.

Both Hackmeyer and chaperone Jennifer Ice (also a Latin teacher at UCHS) said that this event was the perfect opportunity to showcase the importance of reading and provide a look at the positive things that University City teens are doing.

"It's a great way for kids to be in the community in a positive manner," Hackmeyer said. "We do have a lot of great kids."

UCHS will receive 10% of Subterranean's sales during the event to go towards their freshman summer reading project, which entails every incoming freshman reading the same book over the summer. Hackmeyer said they haven't chosen a book for the project yet, but books such as "The Hunger Games" and "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas" are amongst the ones they've narrowed down as possibilities.

Hackmeyer suggested that the event was the perfect opportunity for students to pay it forward through volunteering to be a reader.

"It's kind of like a gift they can give the incoming class," she said.

In addition to receiving a portion of Subterranean's sales during the event, some students read outside of the store alongside a box for cash donations, similar to what you might expect to see with a street musician.

UCHS senior Elliot Wilson was one of the students who read outside, and he chose "The Waste Land" by St. Louis native T.S. Eliot.

"I'm a big fan of T.S. Eliot - and not just because we share half of the same name," Wilson said.

If you're interested in seeing what the students are reading and helping the cause, the today from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. At the end of the event, three of the 20 student readers will be chosen through a drawing to receive $20 gift certificates to Subterranean.