To thousands of cheering Sounders fans, our acting State Librarian, Rand Simmons, Sea Mar Community Health Center Senior VP Carolina Lucero, and the Lieutenant Governor’s Director of Economic Development and International Affairs, Antonio Sanchez, presented the latest edition of the Washington Reads poster at last weekend’s Seattle  Sounders game.  The newest poster features a picture of Sounders forward Fredy Montero, an international superstar from Colombia.

Go here to download Fredy’s free poster in English. And here is the poster in Spanish. Due to budget restrictions, there are no printed posters available for the public.

Having the posters in English and Spanish helps bring the Read message to both the largest and one of the fastest-growing populations in our state, Hispanic youth.  “We believe this poster will be a big hit with kids who are native Spanish speakers and, of course, to everyone that has ever played soccer or loves the game,”  Simmons said.

This project has forged a new and important community development collaboration between the Sounders Football Club, the Office of Secretary of State, Washington State Library and Sea Mar Community Health Center, the largest not-for-profit community health network in the state.  A partnership with Sea Mar Community Health Centers will place posters in schools in Colombia, Fredy’s home country.

Promoting reading and literacy among Washington residents, the Washington Reads poster program began in 2006 with a poster featuring Secretary Reed and his two grandsons.  As part of the program, posters feature people currently living in Washington State.  Athletes featured on past posters have included NASCAR driver Kasey Kahne; volleyball player Courtney Thompson; baseball pitcher Miguel Batista; Seahawks cornerback Marcus Trufant; and skiers Andy, Phil, and Steve Mahre.