Today marked the opening of the Reading Room at Christel House Academy, one of six in Indianapolis. A big 'thank you' to The Ben Carson Reading Project, IU School of Medicine and the Indianapolis Colts.

The students opened the room with a ribbon cutting, comments (below) and enjoyed a nationwide Skype-Telecast in the media center.

Carson, called a "dummy" by his elementary school peers, went on to be a successful surgeon saving countless lives and led the first team ever to separate conjoined twins. With new books and a new space, we're sure there are many more "firsts" for the students of Christel House.


(Left to Right: 8th Graders - Kylien Jones, Alexis Pagano, Lea Cook)

The transcript from today's event:

Lea Cook: The Ben Carson Reading Project provides the Middle School and High School students with a place to read so they can gain the skills necessary to become great readers and learners which can help you now and in the future. I am glad that Dr. Carson supports and believes in us and the idea to "THINK BIG." I am also excited to be presented with an area for high schoolers to read, relax, and get away from all of the stress and anxiety teenagers get from school work, peer pressure, and anything else that might be bothering them. Another thing, I am glad that the Reading Room will be filled with interesting books. Today we thank Dr. Ben Carson, The IU School of Medicine, and the Indianapolis Colts for this spectacular space.

Alexis Pagano:
The Ben Carson Reading Project encourages a love of reading by making reading rooms in
many schools. As of today, over 52 reading rooms have been created across the country for students and the community to come together to enjoy reading. CHA was chosen as 1 of 6 reading rooms to open this spring in Indianapolis. I am glad I have the privilege to use the reading room in the following school year. As a high schooler it is important that we have a place that we can go to hang out read and escape our hectic school days.

Kylien Jones:
On behalf of the Student Council, I would like to thank The Carson Scholars Fund for donating this reading room to Christel House Academy. I think that what Benjamin Carson has done is a wonderful thing. I look at him as a role model for me and hopefully my peers as well. In his childhood he wanted to become a doctor. He was made fun of, such as being called a “dummy” in school because he had bad grades and a bad temper. He didn't believe in himself and didn't think that he could achieve his dream. His mother encouraged him to read two books per week. Even though he had been made fun of by his peers he accomplished his goal. This made his self esteem rise and he was getting top grades in his class, and then school. He was becoming a strong leader. He later graduated from Yale and Medical School at the University of Michigan. He has saved MANY of lives by performing life saving procedures. In 1987 he led the first team to separate two conjoined twins. It is a pleasure to me that I know that I can depend on this space in the building to relax, study, and let my mind go free. We can just come down here and study or read a book and then go back to a project.

As you look around there are brand new books located in these gray bins and I am so excited to be able to have the opportunity to be able to read many of the books. I would like to thank the Carson Scholars Fund for providing this space for us so we can thrive and succeed in life, just as well as he did. At this time we would like to thank you for taking time out of your busy day to be here with us to celebrate this space.

Labels: Academy, event, reading, sponsor