Scoring in the classroom is as important as scoring on the basketball court.

Unaka Elementary School is hosting a special event next week to promote reading for the students in the younger grades and the school is looking to student leaders to help out.

The school will host the Ranger Reading Shootout on Tuesday, Nov. 21, from 5-7 p.m. at the school. The event is for students in pre-K through 3rd grade and their families.

During the event, members of the Unaka Elementary boys and girls Ranger basketball teams will be reading with the younger students and playing games with them.

“We’ve had reading nights in the past, but this is the first time we’ve had our older students read to our younger students,” said Unaka Elementary Principal Dr. Diana Bowers. “The basketball players are really looked up to by the younger students.”

“We are looking to them to be leaders in our school, and we wanted to give them this leadership opportunity,” Bowers added.

In addition to the reading and games with the basketball teams, the event will also feature a variety of other activities for the children as well as their families.

Representatives from the Elizabethton/Carter County Public Library will be on hand to sign children and adults up for library cards as well as providing information on the programs and outreach opportunities available through the library.

Northeast State Community College will have representatives at the event sharing information on adult education programs and other things offered through the college.

Members of the Unaka High School Key Club will help out by operating a free concession stand for those who are in attendance.

Bowers said there will be a lot of door prizes donated by local businesses given away that night.

For more information on the Ranger Reading Shootout, contact Unaka Elementary School at 423-474-4110.