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CLEVELAND, March 2 – For the first time, a Cavaliers Read to Achieve Reading Timeout was delivered in a foreign language. Cavaliers’ center DeSagana Diop, who speaks five languages, visited two French classes at St. Ignatius High School in Cleveland on Tuesday, March 1st and conducted a special reading timeout with students in French.

Diop read Bonsoir Lune by Margaret Wise Brown and Max Et Les Maximonstres by Maurice Sendak. During his reading, the teacher gave instruction and talked to the students about the different noun and verbs being used. The students also asked Diop questions in French about himself and basketball.

Diop’s fluency in the French language comes from his homeland of Senegal, Africa which became independent from France in 1960, but is still significantly influenced by the French culture. In addition to French, he speaks English, Wolof, Arabic and some Spanish.

Read to Achieve is a year-round campaign designed to help young people develop a life-long love for reading and to encourage adults to read regularly with children. The program reaches thousands of elementary, middle and high school students in Northeast Ohio. In addition to the Reading Challenge, the program encompasses reading time-outs, book drives and writing contests.

Read to Achieve is supported by Kraftmaid Cabinetry and Max & Erma’s.