“Whoa,” was the only word that escaped the gasping mouth of a third grade boy at Quail Creek Elementary. He and his classmates knew they’d be boarding the Rolling Thunder Book Bus that was stationed in the parking lot. There was just no way of knowing that Russell Westbrook and Semaj Christon would be waiting inside.
“I’m in shock just as much as them,” Westbrook said. “To have that reaction, I’ll never get used to that.”
“I was once a little kid who looked up to professional athletes. When I saw them I was in shock too,” Christon laughed. “It’s always good to give back and have fun with them.”
Each kid that stepped onto the bus, some even with their hair dyed blue in support of the Thunder, received a book with the guidance of Christon. The rookie point guard helped direct the students to different sections of the mobile library, which is presented by American Fidelity. Westbrook sat in the driver’s seat (surprise, surprise), greeting each kid with a high five, ensuring they got a book they were excited about and handing out wristbands and bookmarks.
The teachers tried to keep the surprise hush-hush, but by the time each student got back to the gymnasium, the news bubbled out.
“We were trying to be secretive and told them the Thunder bus was coming, but they didn’t know there would be some special guests on there,” said third grade teacher Jennifer McElroy.
“It was pure excitement,” added Emrie Hagen, a fellow third grade teacher. “They came into the cafeteria and were saying they got a fist bump and that they were never washing their hands again.”
The teachers believe that not only would the kids’ excitement carry over to their classmates, but to their homework too. Quail Creek is already participating in the Thunder Reading Challenge, but the teachers expect their students’ reading numbers to grow even higher in the month of December after the Thunder duo’s visit.
To Westbrook and Christon, seeing kids enthusiastic about reading because of their visit was extremely gratifying. To Westbrook, whose own Why Not? Foundation is primarily focused on youth literacy, Thursday’s book bus experience was wonderful.
“It’s great on a day off to come talk to the kids while they’re in school and to help them pick out some books,” Westbrook said while perched behind the steering wheel. “For myself and Semaj to be able to do that is a great thing. You can see on the kids’ faces they really enjoy it.”
Then a beaming student sauntered over with a book in her hand, ready to take her prize back to her restless friends.
“Okay let me see!” Westbrook exclaimed, as she presented her book of choice.
Watch: Westbrook, Christon Board Book Bus