CLEMSON, S.C. – Students participating in the Reading Recovery program at Thornwell School for the Arts recently attended the Tigers Read! event hosted by Dabo Swinney’s All In Foundation and Clemson University.
Swinney, Clemson’s head football coach, and his wife, Kathleen, sponsor the event through the foundation. The organization worked together with Scholastic Books and Clemson to provide an exciting and educational day focused on the importance of reading for more than 250 students from across the state.
Students kicked off their day with an exciting welcome from Clemson’s marching band as they entered the football team’s practice facility. Kathleen Swinney, football players and cheerleaders joined the students to read them a story, take photos and spend time together. Each student was also presented with 10 books to keep. The day was topped off with a hot dog lunch on the field.
Kacy Keels, Darlington County School District’s director of Early Childhood, joined the students on the trip. She said everyone had a great time and that the district is fortunate to find such strong community support for early childhood reading success.
“Our students worked hard to be successful in this program, and it was wonderful for the All In Foundation and Clemson University to recognize them,” Keels said. “They saw how valuable reading is not only from their teachers but also from the perspective of other adults. It is critical that we motivate and prepare our students to be strong readers very early in their education.”
St. Bartholomew’s Church in Hartsville helped make the trip possible for the Darlington County School District students through a monetary donation.