The Detroit Pistons celebrated Read to Achieve by hosting a Reading Time-out at Wilkins Elementary in Flint on January 26. Wilkins Elementary Principal Dorsey Ross addressed the students and introduced Darvin Ham, along with Automotion dance team member Megan and Hooper to kick off the event. Darvin and Megan greeted students and shared their love for reading and the value it has had on their lives with the students in attendance.

“You kids are at a very special moment in your lives and reading will enable you to do anything you want in life,” Ham explained to the students. “Reading is important because it gives you the opportunity to learn and grow and also the ability to achieve your goals.”

Following Ham’s opening remarks, he and Megan read stories to 100 students in the school's gymnasium as Hooper entertained the students and staff. Darvin and Megan were pleased to see that a lot of the children were familiar with the books they read. Once the reading concluded, the two led the students in the Read to Achieve Pledge. The students received a gift bag that featured reading materials and a Pistons visor and most of the students were able to get a few autographs from their new Piston friends as they exited the school’s gymnasium.

Detroit Pistons players and staff have devoted their time to share the love of reading with over 6,000 students at Read to Achieve events throughout southeastern Michigan, touching over 75,000 youth with this program. This marked the Pistons’ second visit to Flint community schools as part of their Read to Achieve initiative.