Throughout this 2025-26 school year, Allen Community College baseball players and other athletes would pay visits to Iola Elementary School to greet students with high-fives on Friday mornings, before taking part in storytelling and reading times.
On Tuesday, IES first-graders returned the favor, heading to the college to run the base paths while again being greeted by ACC athletes with high-fives.
Iola Elementary School first-graders use plastic hand clappers as they cheer on the Allen Community College baseball team Tuesday. Photo by Richard Luken / Iola Register Iola Elementary School first-graders Zora Kress, from left, Madelyn Jernigan, Dax Hufferd and Ty Carpenter run around the base paths on the Allen Community College baseball diamond Tuesday. Photo by Richard Luken / Iola Register Kalyse Abernathy of the Allen Community College softball team hands out popcorn to Iola Elementary School first-graders Tuesday as the youngsters gather to cheer on the ACC baseball team. Photo by Richard Luken / Iola Register Iola Elementary School students gathered with Allen Community College’s baseball team for a pregame photo Tuesday. Photo by Richard Luken / Iola Register Allen Community College catcher Shane Smith accompanies Iola Elementary School first-grader Dax Huffed during a run around the diamond Tuesday. Photo by Richard Luken / Iola Register Allen Community College cheerleaders Lonna Ayers, from left, Vanessa Ballin, Azauni Burris, Diogo Cerqueira, Makyla Evans, Manoella Luchini and Austyn Olson greet Iola Elementary School first-graders as the youngsters race around the base paths prior to ACC’s baseball game against Butler County Tuesday. Photo by Richard Luken / Iola Register Iola Elementary School first-graders are greeted by Allen Community College baseball players as they youngsters race around the base paths Tuesday. Photo by Richard Luken / Iola Register Shane Smith, who plays baseball for Allen Community College, accompanies Iola Elementary School first-grader Dax Crawford during a run around the base paths Tuesday. Photo by Richard Luken / Iola Register First-graders feast on popcorn and juice at Tuesday’s Allen Community College baseball game. Photo by Richard Luken / Iola Register
The pupils then joined the baseball team on the field for the national anthem before the Red Devils took on Butler County.
The youngsters were allowed to watch a few innings before heading home for the day. They were treated with popcorn, drinks and plastic hand clappers. Allen’s cheerleaders and softball players assisted with the fun and treats.
