addByline("Kelsey Keena","Celtics.com");
Boston, MA - Boston Celtics captain Rajon Rondo is usually calling the shots when he walks onto the floor at the TD Garden. Friday morning however there was someone else holding the reins.
That someone was the magnificent Ring Master of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus.
Joined by Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs at Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (HMH) Bianca Olson and Celtics mascot Lucky, the captain and 30 students from the Roger Clap Innovation School entered the circus ring for the first Read to Achieve event of the season.
In true circus fashion, wide-eyed students jumped into giant multicolor teacups and enjoyed a silly rendition of a magic show from a few witty clowns before settling down for the group read-aloud.
Instructing students to open to the first page, Rondo introduced Curious George, the inquisitive HMH monkey and his adventure in the story, Circus Act.
Students listened closely as the VIPs took turns reading about George’s visit to the circus and his unplanned encounter with the acrobat’s high wire.
A few lucky youth jumped at the opportunity to join the VIPs up front to each take a turn reading a page aloud as well.
George’s time at the circus became more amusing with every turn of the pages. With a few giggles still echoing through the air, the students reflected on the true moral of the story.
“No matter how scared you may be, do not be afraid to overcome your fears,” concluded one student.
Agreeing with the student’s conclusion, Olson shared with the youth how fun reading can be.
“As you saw today stories bring characters to life and inspire you to be curious,” he said.
The captain then reminded the youth in attendance about the importance of reading and how it is vital to be successful.
Following the read-aloud, students were in for another surprise as Siam and Mabel the Ringling Bros. elephants joined in the fun.
Students gasped at the 8-ton animals trotted toward them.
Siam showed off her artistic talents by painting an abstract portrait using only her trunk. Students cheered as the trainers displayed Siam’s finished product.
Then Mabel had a thing or two to teach Rondo about basketball as she raised her long trunk up for a high-flying dunk.
While her dunk was impressive, one student reminded his classmates that she was traveling. One clown eagerly agreed with the youngster.
“Today’s event was a great opportunity to not only stress the importance of reading, but to encourage students to have fun while doing so,” reflected Rondo.
The overarching mission of HMH has always been to bring the creativity of literature to life, and Friday’s event did just that.