Trail Blazers forward Martell Webster visited the St. Anthony Nativity School in Northeast Portland to discuss the importance of reading and the impact that education has had on his life. Webster handed out awards and prizes to St. Anthony students who achieved certain reading benchmarks during the school year. Brandon Roy, who was in Portland for the Rose Festival Parade, was also in attendance.

“I took for granted how great reading is and all the things you can learn from reading, said Webster to a group of about 30 students. “I would like to tell you that if you do read and work on your education, it will open up a lot of doors and opportunities for you guys. That’s something that is very important.”

Webster stressed the importance of a good vocabulary, the life lessons he took away from his favorite book and being open to all types of viewpoints and perspectives.

“There’s more going on outside in the world than what you learn in the classroom,” Webster said. “Even if it’s just 10 minutes, pick up something and read it.”

St. Andrew Nativity School is a Jesuit Catholic middle school dedicated to offering an academically challenging curriculum in a highly structured environment to low income students of all faiths. Webster is a graduate of Seattle Preparatory School, which is also a private Catholic learning institution.

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