Bonding Over Books

Former Skyview High student sparked a passion in others for reading

Editor’s Note: Reese Pfeifle is the winner of YVW’s Empowered Women Scholarship. The scholarship sought out a student who shines scholastically, has character, leadership and community spirit. Reese received a $1,000 scholarship to start her freshman year at Montana State University Billings.

One of Reese Pfeifle’s favorite things to do is get lost in the pages of a good book. She’s got a knack for picking fantasy fiction novels with rich storylines and plots that draw readers in.

“I’ve always loved to read,” she says with a huge smile. Her love for books came into clearer focus after she decided to step back from playing both basketball and soccer for Skyview High School.

“Junior year, I actually had a pretty draining soccer season and I kind of lost myself,” Reese says. “I remember sitting in my college intro to public speaking class talking to my friend and I said, ‘Maybe we should start a book club?’” Her teacher overheard and not only encouraged Reese but helped her go through the channels to make the club a reality.

“I had to get it passed by student council,” she says. By senior year, Reese was named president of the club and was looking forward to bonding with her classmates over their favorite reads during the club’s inaugural year.

“She was the president, but she didn’t want to be called the president,” says Karen Mayhall, Skyview’s librarian, who was also the club’s adviser. “She wanted to be called monarch. It sounded a little fancier than just president. I thought that was super cute.”

One of Reese’s missions was to draw kids from all walks of life together.

“I wanted the club to empower students to speak out a little bit about what they are passionate about,” Reese says. “Because you have the athletes, you have the smart kids, you have your animé kids. The people who like to read were just considered nerds. We’re not nerds. We’re just people who are passionate about books. It's not weird, it's cool, just like sports are cool, you know?”

Once the club started rolling, it became clear to Karen Mayhall that Reese wanted a little something more.

“Her character is helping people. She feels a strong pull to do that,” Karen says.

Reese ended up pitching the idea to have the club visit young readers — students in first and second grade — to read to them and get them excited about cracking open a good book. The club ended up doing just that at both Beartooth and Sandstone Elementary Schools.

“It was just so empowering to walk in and see all of their little faces light up,” Reese says. “They all knew us by name and were so excited to read their books to us or have us read to them.”

February is “I Love to Read” month, and Karen says Reese took the time to try to make it fun for her elementary kids.

“She had all these activities set up. She made a QR code and then broke the teachers into groups and with that QR code (and some clues), the kids could try to guess what their teacher’s favorite book was,” Karen says.

As Reese now looks to college, she’s thinking of studying to be a mental health counselor.

“I just like being able to talk about things and find the root problem,” she says. “Junior year was pretty draining and put me in a difficult spot, somewhere I wasn’t used to being. I wish someone could have tried to help me through it, talk to me and help me validate those feelings. I want to be that kind of person for someone else.”

Reese credits her mom for giving her strength during that time.

“She taught me how to stand up for myself and do it with grace,” Reese says. “I’m very grateful for that.”

Knowing that all of her club members were freshman and sophomore girls, one thing Reese doesn’t have to worry about is whether or not her club will continue.

“She was an amazing monarch and has left a legacy that will continue at Skyview with her girls,” Karen says.

Reese is now looking forward to a new chapter, one that can sharpen her desire to help others.

“I hope that I can find something that motivates me and makes me feel like I am making a difference,” she says. “Even if it is just one person, I want to make a difference.”