Holiday Hoops

Holiday Hoops Brings Learning and Play Together

In December 2025, Holiday Hoops—co-sponsored by the Binienda Center and Worcester State Athletics—welcomed 105 fifth-grade students from May Street School and Chandler Magnet School for a fun and engaging experience. Students rotated between exciting basketball drill activities in the Wellness Center and interactive reading sessions in nearby classrooms, blending physical activity with literacy in a dynamic way.

Holiday Hoops was an amazing event that the Binienda center was able to connect us with, it was a great experience being able to support youth in the community alongside WSU Basketball and BSU.

— Andrew Lucier (WooServe Eboard)

Once we read together in the classroom, many kids said they were motivated to read more and wanted to finish the book.

— Emma Quinn, So. (Women's Basketball Team)

Great opportunity to interact with kids so close to our school, we get to see them at other events too, so we're building relationships.

— Lena Waldron, Jr (Women's Basketball Team)

I enjoyed so much the energy, enthusiasm and fun time that the kids were having, it made it fun for me too!

— Aydan Gulliver, So (Women's Basketball Team)

It was great to see kids get better in their skills with only an hour of learning.

— Thais dos Santos, Fr. (Women's Basketball Team)

An adult in a blue jacket faces a group of children, raising a thumb in the air, inside a gymnasium with blue padded walls.

A group of basketball players, both male and female, stand in a gymnasium facing forward, wearing athletic uniforms in blue, black, and yellow.

A man in a tie and sweater speaks to a group of children in a gymnasium while several women stand in the background.

A basketball coach in a yellow jersey gives high fives to a group of children gathered around him in a gymnasium.

A group of children stands in a gymnasium with their arms raised, participating in what appears to be a group exercise or activity.

Young woman in a black hoodie holding a basketball stands in a gym with blue padded walls, smiling.

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