Recently at Phenix Elementary School, the student body had the opportunity to meet Elwood, the mascot of the Longwood Lancers. According to a press release, along with several members of the basketball team, Elwood came to the school to share the message that reading is important. The release cited that to entice reading, the group challenged students to read by promising every student who reaches his or her Accelerated Reading goal during the second nine-week grading period a free ticket to one of their men’s basketball games. We commend Longwood University for its outreach efforts across the Heart of Virginia, promoting reading and education. (Send Pictures of the Week with names and a description to PicOfTheWeek@TheCharlotteGazette.com.)