BOSTON (Jan. 26, 2010) - Boston Celtics players Ray Allen, Shelden Williams and Tony Allen spoke at the Rogers Middle School in Hyde Park today as part of a Stay in School assembly, honoring high-achieving students and encouraging all of the children to take pride in their classroom work.
"Taking pride in education is very important for students," Ray Allen explained. "By making the right decisions and trying their best in the classroom, these children can accomplish anything."
During today's assembly, and at other Stay in School assemblies throughout the academic year, Celtics players deliver a special message to students that include the use of the acronym PRIDE -- P for perseverance, R for respect, I for integrity, D for decisions, and E for Education.
Now in its 19th year, the Boston Celtics Stay in School program is presented by Arbella Insurance and is a collaboration of efforts from the Celtics, the New England Sports Museum, the Northeastern University Center for the Study of Sport in Society and the Boston Public Schools. At assemblies throughout the academic year, Celtics players will visit schools to help motivate students to work hard and stay in school, and at the end of each year, top students will be honored for academic achievement and perfect attendance.