Two Blazers Surprise Students
March 7, 2003
Students at Sitton Elementary had a big surprise Friday when Blazers forward, Rasheed Wallace and Blazers center Dale Davis walked in to the gymnasium during their assembly. The two were joined by Blaze and Blazers Community Ambassador Nick Jones who brought each child a book to promote the Read to Achieve program.
The Blazers heard about Sitton Elementary through a supporter of the school, who shared stories of how the students are tremendous Blazers fans. A wall at the school sports Blazers posters side-by-side with posters of the schools undefeated basketball team, the Lightening.
"We had fun - the kids were pretty excited. Reading was very important in my family growing up, and I think it's something we need to stress to kids today any time we can," said Dale Davis.
"Kids are great to be around and these kids were a lot of fun. When we heard about their wall and how much they love the team, we were happy to come meet them. I loved giving them the microphone and letting them ask questions," said Rasheed Wallace.
The school visit was part of a month of reading activities as part of the NBA’s focus on literacy through the Read to Achieve program.
Among the other activities, Blazers players and coaches participated in a reading luncheon for 200 Head Start kids, reading night with the Blazers, a “Reading Time-Out” with youth at IRCO and other events at the Blazers Reading and Learning Centers.
The team also donated books throughout the Portland metro area and donated $15,000 to SMART, Start Making a Reader Today, as a continuing commitment to literacy.
Check out the more photos of the event.
Students at Sitton Elementary had a big surprise Friday when Blazers forward, Rasheed Wallace and Blazers center Dale Davis walked in to the gymnasium during their assembly. The two were joined by Blaze and Blazers Community Ambassador Nick Jones who brought each child a book to promote the Read to Achieve program.
The Blazers heard about Sitton Elementary through a supporter of the school, who shared stories of how the students are tremendous Blazers fans. A wall at the school sports Blazers posters side-by-side with posters of the schools undefeated basketball team, the Lightening.
"We had fun - the kids were pretty excited. Reading was very important in my family growing up, and I think it's something we need to stress to kids today any time we can," said Dale Davis.
"Kids are great to be around and these kids were a lot of fun. When we heard about their wall and how much they love the team, we were happy to come meet them. I loved giving them the microphone and letting them ask questions," said Rasheed Wallace.
The school visit was part of a month of reading activities as part of the NBA’s focus on literacy through the Read to Achieve program.
Among the other activities, Blazers players and coaches participated in a reading luncheon for 200 Head Start kids, reading night with the Blazers, a “Reading Time-Out” with youth at IRCO and other events at the Blazers Reading and Learning Centers.
The team also donated books throughout the Portland metro area and donated $15,000 to SMART, Start Making a Reader Today, as a continuing commitment to literacy.
Check out the more photos of the event.
