On Tuesday, a third grade boy named Kobey took three big steps up into the Rolling Thunder Book Bus. He couldn’t quite make the fourth step, however. Stopped in his tracks, mouth agape and hand planted across his chest like he was saying the Pledge of Allegiance, Kobey stood stock-still, staring at Thunder guard Reggie Jackson.
Jackson was helping another student find a book amidst the stack in the Book Bus, when he suddenly felt Kobey’s gaze. Eye contact was all the youngster needed to be unfrozen from his spot, as he immediately regained his legs in order to give Jackson a big high five. While not every student was so star-struck, one thing was clear: Jackson was making a special impact on each one of the children there.
“It’s kind of shocking,” Jackson said. “You don’t ever really think that you’re a big deal. You’re just one person out of many who has been put on earth and blessed to be in this position. I enjoy it. He was pretty shocked. It was fun to meet with him and interact with him.”
“I’m just happy I could make their day,” Jackson added, thoughtfully. “And they made mine. I’m not sure if they realize it.”
Kobey was just one of 50 third graders who had the chance to hop on board the Book Bus, which is presented by American Fidelity. Each child received a free book of their choice, with Jackson’s assistance, and then were handed a wristband and bookmark from Jackson on their way out, but only after a high-five.
The book itself is a welcome treat for the students according to Ridgecrest’s Principal, Mike Stiglets. More important, however, is the inspiration a visit like Jackson’s can give to a young child to continue reading and educating themselves outside of the classroom.
“Every chance we get with these third graders to give them an opportunity to read or have something of high interest to read, we want to take that opportunity with those children,” Stiglets explained. “Mid-Del is known for establishing a culture of literacy for our children, and that’s what we’re doing.”
Besides help students feel excited about reading, Jackson also tried to make each student feel special and get in a few laughs during their time on the bus. As each student entered the bus, Jackson told them their toll for getting a book was to tell him their name.
Jackson tried to send the message backwards with some of the more bashful students to deliver to their classmates, but it didn’t quite stick until halfway through the afternoon. Once the students knew to stop and chat with Jackson for a minute before getting their book, Jackson’s face lit up with his patented wide grin.
“My girl Carissa finally started to relay the message,” Jackson said after chuckling to himself. “Everybody was pretty good and on point with it after that. At the beginning it was hard. Everybody was so excited to get back and read their books and to get back into the classroom to have fun with their classmates.”
“I got to know their names, just trying to say hi and say bye,” Jackson explained. “Communication is a big thing in sports and in life. I’m just trying to have them be comfortable and accepting of who they are. I remember being that age.”
Jackson is always energetic, lively and talkative with the children out at community events, just like the other Thunder players who try to make their mark on the youths of Oklahoma when they visit schools. It’s one of the Thunder’s missions to continually strengthen the bonds it has with Oklahoma City and the entire state of Oklahoma, and as Stiglets explained, events like Tuesday’s only further that cause.
“He’s a great role model for the kids,” Stiglets said. “Our Thunder players do that service for us. We have a lot of children who look up to our players and I think it’s a fantastic thing to have Reggie out here. It’s great.”