Program to Reach Many Facets of Washington
Community<br><br>Washington, D.C. - The Washington Mystics today announced the
beginning of a new reading initiative, "Murriel's Page
Turners." The program is designed to promote reading as a
life long habit and to encourage young people to make
reading a priority in their lives. Mystics center Murriel
Page will be the focus of the initiative, visiting
with local schools and community groups throughout the
months of March and April.<br><br>"I'm really excited
about this program," said Page. "Through the Mystics, I
have been able to get involved in a lot of literacy
initiatives such as Read Across America and different reading
programs at schools. I have always enjoyed sharing how
important reading is with the people that I meet and,
through this program, I hope to reach many more."
<br><br>To begin the program, Page will serve as a guest
storyteller for 100 kids during the Wizards kickoff to NBA
Reading Month, a yearly initiative supported by all 29
NBA cities to promote and foster reading in today's
youth. The storytelling is being held on Sunday, March
4th from Noon-1:00 p.m. in the National Sports
Gallery, located on the third floor of MCI Center. The
Wizards' mascot G-Wiz and the Wizards Dancers will also be
in attendance. Admission is free for the
storytelling.<br><br>During her visits to local schools and community groups,
Page will read a selection of some of her favorite
books as well as speak about her experiences as a
professional athlete and the steps she has taken to make her
life positive, such as reading regularly and going to
college. Everyone that participates in the Page Turner
program will receive a bookmark that declares "I am a
Page Turner" and lists a few of Murriel's favorite
books. <br><br>The Page Turner program will reach many
facets of the Washington-Metropolitan community.
Following the event on March 4th, Page will also visit
Georgetown University hospital, a Barnes and Noble bookstore
in Georgetown as well as local schools and many
other community organizations serving the Washington
area. If you would like to have Murriel's Page Turners
visit your organization, please contact Dyani Gordon or
Liz Sullivan in the Mystics Public Relations office
at (202) 661-5000.<br><br>One of two original
Mystics on the team's current roster, Page was drafted by
the Washington Mystics as the first pick (third
overall) in the 1998 WNBA draft. Since that time, she has
become a vital part of the Mystics inside game,
averaging 9.8 points and 6.5 rebounds per game during the
2000 season. For the past two consecutive seasons
(1999, 2000), Page has won the WNBA Bud Light Shooting
Champion award for leading the league in field goal
percentage.