Reading Athlete

A man presenting at a conference or seminar.

Student-Led Research:

Can building the conditions for reading and peer-led bibliotherapy improve a team culture? Reduce stress? Aid in mental health interventions? Improve academic and athletic performance?

These are a few of the questions I have been asking for years.

In 2026, I ran anIndependent student research project supported by Morgan's Message Ambassadors and Educational Directors at the Kevin Love Fund that asked:

After one peer-led picture book session, does a student-athlete report better well-being, and does the change appear in beliefs about reading itself?

Original research presented as the only youth presenter at the world's largest library conference: 150th Anniversary American Library Association Annual Conference in Chicago, IL (June 28, 2026)
Additional Statistical Analysis from initial Spring 2026 study supported in conjunction with 2025 & 2026 Mentor Immersion program through Vanderbilt Program for Talented Youth (Mentor: Dr. Ashleigh Maxcey)
Poster presentations for literacy and mental health symposiums planned for 2027.

The Research

Validated Book Curation

I am studying whether peer-led reading changes team culture and reduces stress.

The work is supported through my position as the only High School fellow (among PhD candidates) with the Kevin Love Fund.

June 28, 2026 I presented my initial Spring research findings as the only youth presenter at the American Library Association Annual Conference in Chicago, the largest library conference in the world.

Data Visualization and research education was supported through the Mentor Immersion program (2025, 2026) at Vanderbilt's Program for Talented Youth with final presentation August 5, 2026.

Final Report:

"Reading Athlete: Utilizing the influence of picture book bibliotherapy as a tool to model vulnerability, inspire connections, and build community for student athletes."

August 5, 2026

Study Advisor, Dr. Ellie Foster, Kevin Love Fund

Report Advisor, Dr. Ashleigh Maxcey, Vanderbilt University

I will be submitting poster presentations for multiple national conferences in 2026 & 2027 and hope to continue this work as an Undergraduate and Graduate programs.

As of July, Reading Athlete toolkit and curriculum on pilot book "When You Dream Big!" by Peter H. Reynolds is available to the 6,100+ active Morgan's Message Campus Ambassadors representing 1,900+ high school and college campuses across six countries through Tad Health.

Reading Health tool kit, pilot curriculum and curated book list is currently being adapted by the Education team of the Kevin Love Fund. The free international download will be available Winter 2027.

Kevin Love FUND FELLOWSHIP

Validated Book Curation

I have read more than 1,000 books and have written over 130 book reviews for the national Bank Street Children's Book Committee. Sitting among publishers, authors, teachers and librarians who are passionate about reading, I now contribute to free "100 Best Books of the Year" public resource and national awards discussion as the youngest voting member since the CBC was founded in 1909.

As a fierce advocate for literacy, an interdisciplinary student and award winning civic service leaders- I have begun to write opinion and argumentative essays about why people read, and about what happens when they stop.

My recent essay on the current rise in book censorship and algorithmic bias was shortlisted for the John Locke Institute Global Essay Prize, out of 100,227 entries from 183 countries.

Bank Street Children's Book Committee

Who is Quade?

Reading Athlete Health, Literacy & Service Advocate

Reading Athlete

Student-Led Research:

The Research

Validated Book Curation

Validated Book Curation

Validated Book Curation

Validated Book Curation

Validated Book Curation

READING ATHLETE