Cleveland 5th Grader Wins Scholastic Book Clubs™/NBA “Motivate Me” Contest and an Opportunity to Meet NBA All-Star LeBron James at a Cleveland Cavaliers Game
Winning Essay Depicts Mother as Greatest Source of Motivation
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For 11 year-old Eiyad Abid, his greatest source of motivation isn’t a movie star, a singer, or a war hero, it is his mother. Eiyad, a 5th grader at Metro Catholic School in Cleveland, wrote an essay to win The Scholastic Book Clubs/NBA “Motivate Me” writing contest. Eiyad will have an opportunity to meet LeBron James at a Cleveland Cavaliers game on Sunday, April 3rd (vs. Dallas Mavericks at 3:00 p.m.). Eiyad, an avid basketball fan, wrote about his mother’s dedication helping him succeed, both in school and in life.
Cleveland Cavaliers’ All-Star LeBron James teamed up with Scholastic Book Clubs, a division of Scholastic, the global children’s publishing and media company, and the National Basketball Association’s Read to Achieve program to create The Scholastic Book Clubs™/ NBA “Motivate Me” Writing Contest, encouraging kids to pen a slam-dunk essay. Students in Arrow® Book Club (grades 4-6) were asked to write an essay of 500 words or less about what motivates them. They were also encouraged to use real-life examples of how a particular source of motivation has helped them reach a specific goal. Over 5,000 entries were judged on content, creativity, structure and presentation.
In his winning essay, Eiyad Abid shares how his mother taught him a valuable lesson about how to succeed in life, “She said my mind was like a sponge and that it soaks everything around me. She explained that even when I think that I am only watching TV, my brain is recording everything else around me at the same time. She says that if I want to succeed in life that I have to soak up all the information around me and to use it when I need it,” he writes. Eiyad continues, “My mom will never let me just sit there and do nothing. She says I am smart and she always wants me to do my best. She won’t accept anything less. That is my mom and I love her with all my heart!”
To read the entire essay click here.
“Scholastic Book Clubs’ mission is to get all kids excited about books and the lessons and ideas presented in them. Contests like ‘Motivate Me’ and programs like NBA’s Read to Achieve, help students make a real world connection between reading and their life, and encourage them to learn more about themselves,” said Judy Newman, President, Scholastic Book Clubs and Scholastic At Home. “Eiyad’s essay not only shows a deep understanding of what motivates him, but it also reveals his passion for writing and learning.”
“I am excited to meet Eiyad, he sounds like a great kid,” said LeBron James. “His mother is his inspiration, just as my mother is mine. I know the essay writing competition was tough, I am happy to see a local Cleveland student come out the winner.”
Ten runners-up will each receive a subscription to NBA Inside Stuff Magazine, an NBA basketball, and two ‘Motivate Me’ Scholastic book libraries.
Runners-up include:
Sanjna Ghanshani from Hicks Canyon Elementary in Irvine, CA.
Anne Thomas from Dutcher Magnet School in Turlock, CA.
Zeek Julien from Discovery School of the Arts in Victorville, CA.
Shelby Dees from Eminence Independent School in Eminence, KY.
Darcy Moreno from Hibbard School in Chicago, IL.
LaShawnda Poree from Brookwood Middle School in Glenwood, IL.
Briana Herr from McComb Elementary School in McComb, OH.
Glenn Kugelman from I.S. 72 in Staten Island, NY.
Javier Dominguez from Cuellar Middle School in Weslaco, TX.
Evan McMurray from Glasgow Middle School in Alexandria, VA.
The “Motivate Me” essay writing contest is part of NBA Read to Achieve, a year-round campaign to help young people develop a life-long love of reading and encourage adults to read regularly with children. Reaching an estimated 50 million children a year, the NBA Read to Achieve program is the most extensive educational outreach initiative in the history of professional sports. Efforts of the program include the donation of more than a million books and magazines through a variety of reading events and incentive programs, as well as the development of essay contests and on-line programs. In an effort to provide greater access to books and technology, the NBA and its teams, along with companies such as RIF®, Disney and Dell® have also created more than 90 Reading and Learning Centers and more than 80 Reading Corners throughout North America, South America and in South Africa. In addition to being supported by all NBA, WNBA and NBDL teams, Read to Achieve is supported by the NBA's officials, coaches, parents and wives of players organizations, and the NBA Players Association and Retired Players Association.
For 56 years, Scholastic Book Clubs have provided monthly catalogues offering top quality books and reading materials from all publishers to teachers in pre-school through high school. Today, Scholastic Book Clubs reach over one million teachers each month, providing the most sought-after titles at affordable prices for children in classrooms nationwide.
Cleveland Cavaliers’ All-Star LeBron James teamed up with Scholastic Book Clubs, a division of Scholastic, the global children’s publishing and media company, and the National Basketball Association’s Read to Achieve program to create The Scholastic Book Clubs™/ NBA “Motivate Me” Writing Contest, encouraging kids to pen a slam-dunk essay. Students in Arrow® Book Club (grades 4-6) were asked to write an essay of 500 words or less about what motivates them. They were also encouraged to use real-life examples of how a particular source of motivation has helped them reach a specific goal. Over 5,000 entries were judged on content, creativity, structure and presentation.
In his winning essay, Eiyad Abid shares how his mother taught him a valuable lesson about how to succeed in life, “She said my mind was like a sponge and that it soaks everything around me. She explained that even when I think that I am only watching TV, my brain is recording everything else around me at the same time. She says that if I want to succeed in life that I have to soak up all the information around me and to use it when I need it,” he writes. Eiyad continues, “My mom will never let me just sit there and do nothing. She says I am smart and she always wants me to do my best. She won’t accept anything less. That is my mom and I love her with all my heart!”
To read the entire essay click here.
“Scholastic Book Clubs’ mission is to get all kids excited about books and the lessons and ideas presented in them. Contests like ‘Motivate Me’ and programs like NBA’s Read to Achieve, help students make a real world connection between reading and their life, and encourage them to learn more about themselves,” said Judy Newman, President, Scholastic Book Clubs and Scholastic At Home. “Eiyad’s essay not only shows a deep understanding of what motivates him, but it also reveals his passion for writing and learning.”
“I am excited to meet Eiyad, he sounds like a great kid,” said LeBron James. “His mother is his inspiration, just as my mother is mine. I know the essay writing competition was tough, I am happy to see a local Cleveland student come out the winner.”
Ten runners-up will each receive a subscription to NBA Inside Stuff Magazine, an NBA basketball, and two ‘Motivate Me’ Scholastic book libraries.
Runners-up include:
Sanjna Ghanshani from Hicks Canyon Elementary in Irvine, CA.
Anne Thomas from Dutcher Magnet School in Turlock, CA.
Zeek Julien from Discovery School of the Arts in Victorville, CA.
Shelby Dees from Eminence Independent School in Eminence, KY.
Darcy Moreno from Hibbard School in Chicago, IL.
LaShawnda Poree from Brookwood Middle School in Glenwood, IL.
Briana Herr from McComb Elementary School in McComb, OH.
Glenn Kugelman from I.S. 72 in Staten Island, NY.
Javier Dominguez from Cuellar Middle School in Weslaco, TX.
Evan McMurray from Glasgow Middle School in Alexandria, VA.
The “Motivate Me” essay writing contest is part of NBA Read to Achieve, a year-round campaign to help young people develop a life-long love of reading and encourage adults to read regularly with children. Reaching an estimated 50 million children a year, the NBA Read to Achieve program is the most extensive educational outreach initiative in the history of professional sports. Efforts of the program include the donation of more than a million books and magazines through a variety of reading events and incentive programs, as well as the development of essay contests and on-line programs. In an effort to provide greater access to books and technology, the NBA and its teams, along with companies such as RIF®, Disney and Dell® have also created more than 90 Reading and Learning Centers and more than 80 Reading Corners throughout North America, South America and in South Africa. In addition to being supported by all NBA, WNBA and NBDL teams, Read to Achieve is supported by the NBA's officials, coaches, parents and wives of players organizations, and the NBA Players Association and Retired Players Association.
For 56 years, Scholastic Book Clubs have provided monthly catalogues offering top quality books and reading materials from all publishers to teachers in pre-school through high school. Today, Scholastic Book Clubs reach over one million teachers each month, providing the most sought-after titles at affordable prices for children in classrooms nationwide.
