President Connie Book presented a $10,000 donation check to the Alamance-Burlington School System Friday. She also presented cookies to the second graders at Elon Elementary after reading them a story. The $10,000 was raised from the book drive during President Book’s Inauguration week in October. For every $20 dollars that were donated to the University, a book was donated to the elementary school.
“Reading is magical” President Book said to Miss Wilson’s second grade class at Elon Elementary. Students gathered on the green carpet with excitement as President Book sat down on a stool to read. Her book of choice was Shel Silverstein’s "The Giving Tree" because sometimes more can be said with less words. "The Giving Tree" tells a story of selfless love. One student exclaimed afterwards that she almost cried.
Elon University President Connie Book reads a story to second graders.
Principal Jack Davern attended the reading along with other faculty members. He says he hopes the book drive can become an annual event. Davern is proud of the relationship between the elementary school and the university. He said the bond is very strong and he looks forward to its continuance, despite the upcoming relocation of Elon Elementary this fall. The elementary and university have existing partnerships created by interns, student teachers, student athletes, Greek Life, and now President Connie Book herself. Principal Davern said the only change in the relationship is that individuals will now need a mode of transportation. “We see this expansion of opportunity for our students,” Davern said.
Superintendent of the Alamance-Burlington School System Dr. Bruce Benson was present at the reading and graciously accepted the $10,000 check. The seven and eight-year-olds joined Benson in unison to say thank you to show their appreciation.
President Book left a signed copy of "The Giving Tree" with the class. She reminded the second graders the importance of reading and left them with the message, “if you can read, you can learn anything.”