Bonneville High chess, reading clubs get students thinking about their future

WASHINGTON TERRACE -- At Bonneville High School, real men read.

Faculty members have created a club called Real Men Read in an effort to improve the attitude toward reading among young men at the school.

A chess club has also developed a small following.

Citing statistics from a 2007 study, Rosette Acord, Bonneville's media specialist and librarian, developed the idea of Real Men Read after she learned reading is a declining activity among teenagers, especially young men, and as a result, their educational pursuits are suffering.

"We want to change the culture of reading. We know it is going to be a process," Acord said. "They are probably readers -- they just don't know it."

Acord received a $700 grant from the school's foundation, and Principal Leslie Meyer kicked in another $500.

Now on the third Friday of each month, which is a late-start day, male students can meet with male members of the faculty in the library for free doughnuts and a fun discussion on anything they have been reading, whether it's a book or a newspaper or magazine article.

Usually, the discussion centers on a moral or principle gained from what the students have read, Acord said.

The club has had three meetings so far, and attendance is up to around 40 students, which translates into four dozen doughnuts, Acord said.

If a student comes to more than one meeting, he receives a club T-shirt.

The goal is to consistently draw out 50 students each month.

"It's been very well received. The male faculty members have embraced it," said Preston Warren, an English teacher at Bonneville. "Now the girls want a club of their own."

Warren said young men read everything from fantasy and fiction -- ranging from the Twilight series, Harry Potter and Dan Brown novels -- to Sports Illustrated.

If a student reads a book in three days, he or she receives a free Jamba Juice.

"It's good for the students to see that reading continues on throughout your life," Warren said.

Guys dig the club, although doughnuts are a main motivator for many, said junior Cosmin Harris.

"It's interesting to talk to teachers person to person, get their ideas and insights and get to know them," Cosmin said. "We talk about real-life lessons."

Robert Crane, a fellow junior, enjoys the escape from reality provided by reading a good book. He also likes discussing how a person can acquire the good qualities of book characters.

The chess club started only last week and has a small following. Students meet in the library and play during lunch or after school. Acord serves as the adviser.

Junior Matthew Cory said it's nothing super-competitive -- yet.

"So far, we just come and play."