On April 17 at 9 a.m. the lunchroom at Swainsboro Elementary was exploding with excitement from all 621 students in attendance as they listened to Malcolm Mitchell and watched magic performed by his magician friend. What were they excited about and so engaged with Malcolm for an hour? READING!
That's right, reading. Malcolm talked about how much fun he had playing football at UGA and in the NFL, but that wasn't what he wanted the students to know. He wanted them to know something more important for him and also for each student there that can make dreams come true, and that's reading. He didn't make a big deal about playing in the Super Bowl or the fact that he was wearing a winning Super Bowl Ring. Malcolm humbly speaks to the students of how football was fun. Now he writes children's books and encourages every child to learn to read.
After allowing a student on stage to read instructions for some "magic" and performing a "trick" with a willing teacher it was time to get serious. Malcolm and his magician friend were able to get all 621 students to open their copy of his book "The Magician's Hat" and read along with him. It was an amazing day for literacy at SES!
Family Connection would like to thank Ms Amy Holton, who organized and made this event happen. We also thank Mill Creek Foundation and the Swainsboro Rotary Club who gave the funds so that every student received a copy of Malcolm's book.
