Saint Joseph Football Players Promote Early Childhood Literacy

Having already passed for 1,378 yards and 12 touchdowns with just one interception this season, Saint Joseph High School of Metuchen quarterback Justin Scaramuzzo is adept at making reads.

The term, in the football vernacular, reflects a signal caller’s ability to analyze the defense before and after taking a snap to decide where to throw the pigskin.

Scaramuzzo found himself making a completely different read on Wednesday morning, that being from a children’s book to a kindergarten class at Saint James School in Woodbridge.

The junior and seven of his teammates read aloud to children in four classes across four grade levels as part of a community service project for The Marisa Tufaro Foundation, which has partnered with the Saint Joseph and Saint Thomas Aquinas football programs to promote early childhood literacy.

The border rivals, who are both currently state-ranked, are using their upcoming Oct. 19 football game, which takes place during National Book Month, and the days leading up to it to collect monetary donations for the purchase of new children’s books for New Jersey’s Reach Out and Read program.

Donations are currently being accepted online and will be collected at the gate the day of the game, which kicks off at Brenner Family Field at Saint Joseph at 11 a.m.

The Marisa Tufaro Foundation will match at least a portion of the schools’ fundraising total to purchase the new books, which will be donated to medical providers in Middlesex County who dedicate their time and expertise to educate and encourage income-challenged parents to read aloud to their children.

As part of a well-child visit at 100 participating health clinics statewide, the Reach Out and Read program incorporates reading into pediatric care, providing children from birth to 5 years of age and their families with free books to keep and resources that promote early childhood literacy.

“Reading is such an important part of children’s learning experience,” Saint James Principal Maggie Segotta said. “I always tell my elementary parents the best thing you can do for your child is read to them. They will thank you in years to come.”

The Saint Joseph football players were paired for each classroom visit, which included reading an age-appropriate book to students and engaging with them during an ensuing question-and-answer session.

Ashton Irving, Tyler Huseth, Brody Picariello, Javon Hudson, Steven Szabo, Cole Costello and Jacob Pappas joined Scaramuzzo.

Their reading list included I Stink by Kate and Jim McMullan, This Is Not My Hat and I Want My Hat Back by Jon Klassen, The Book with No Pictures by B.J. Novak, and Be Kind by Pat Zietlow Miller.

Scaramuzzo and Irving, a senior wide receiver who has caught 28 passes for 454 yards and a team-leading five touchdowns, connected once again, this time in the classroom, partnering to read from I Stink to the kindergartners.

“We do have a special connection on and off the field,” Irving said of his relationship with Scaramuzzo and the entire Saint Joseph football program. “On the field we are doing great this season and off the field we love doing things like this to help the community.”

More than 1 in 3 children nationwide start kindergarten without the language skills needed to learn to read, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. The academy recommends pediatric providers promote early literacy development for children beginning in infancy and continuing through kindergarten.

Reach Out and Read facilitates that goal, making available in nearly 30 different languages free books that are representative of the broad spectrum of children and families the program serves. The stories are relevant and engaging, accurately reflect and affirm a diverse range of identities, cultures, and histories, and contain colorful illustrations that resonate with young children.

“I congratulate the players, cheerleaders and coaches from both high schools for using their big game to heighten awareness about this important initiative,” State Senator Patrick Diegnan said.

“This outstanding literacy program provides parents with free books to read aloud to their children, giving them a foundation for success in school and life. Reading books out loud to your child is also a wonderful way to bond and stimulate their interest in reading. I could not be prouder of both school communities for working together for this excellent cause.”

Despite being born with a severe cardiac defect that required six open-heart surgeries and a heart transplant, The Marisa Tufaro Foundation’s namesake was an avid reader who inherited an affinity for books from her parents. They read daily to Marisa at home and in the hospital when she was an infant and toddler.

Marisa Tufaro, who succumbed to a rare form of cancer in 2017 at the age of 13 following a valiant battle, was hospitalized for more than two years and maintained hundreds of doctors’ appointments. Reading played a paramount role in Marisa overcoming her medical challenges to become an Edison Township Public Schools honor roll student.

"We are humbled to be a part of honoring the memory of Marisa Tufaro and assisting the Reach Out and Read program and fundraiser,” Saint Joseph football coach Bill Tracy said. “This program is a great endeavor to promote child literacy and bring families closer together. Our game with Saint Thomas Aquinas will be a terrific platform to both raise awareness and to help our community. We are all excited to be a part of it."

Tracy said he and his players thoroughly enjoyed their visit to Saint James School. Tracy praised the administration, faculty and students for creating a welcoming environment and embracing his players.

“We had a great time today,” Tracy said. “Ms. Segotta and everyone here at Saint James did a great job welcoming us. The kids were very respectful. They listened well and they asked poignant questions after each story. It was a really good day, I hope, for Saint James, and definitely for Saint Joe’s and our charity, The Marisa Tufaro Foundation.”

Since its inception in July 2017, The Marisa Tufaro Foundation has donated more than $350,000 to fulfill its mission of assisting pediatric patients and other children in need throughout the greater Middlesex County area.

The nonprofit has also spearheaded multiple initiatives resulting in the collection of thousands of toys, nonperishable food items, winter coats, baby supplies, school supplies, and other items for donation upon which it has placed no monetary value.

In addition, the foundation has awarded 46 scholarships totaling $33,000 to high school seniors and sent 27 elementary and middle school students to a weeklong summer art camp at Rutgers University’s Zimmerli Art Museum.

“We’ve been blessed beyond words with amazing support from so many people, including the Saint Joseph and Saint Thomas Aquinas school communities,” said Marisa’s mother, Cyndi Tufaro, who is the foundation’s co-executive director and the principal at James Monroe Elementary School in Edison.

“This particular fundraiser has added meaning because of the profound impact reading had on Marisa and the role books played in her life,” Greg Tufaro said. “Our nonprofit considers itself honored to be able to provide the gift of literacy to children and families in need.

“We can’t thank everyone enough who is donating to the cause and hope their benevolence is exponentially returned.”