Thanks to reader JD Malone who posted this as a comment (under Shafer Choral Concert) that I'm reposting here for everyone to see. I also received confirmation from NASD Superintendent Lesky of the appearance. Aiken performs tonight at the State Theatre in Easton (read the article on his performance here):
“American Idol” star helps Nazareth students celebrate book’s publication Clay Aiken made a surprise appearance this morning at Nazareth Area High School for an assembly celebrating the book “Our Friend Mikayla,” published earlier this year by the Bubel-Aiken Foundation.
Aiken read the book to the entire Lower Nazareth Elementary School gathered in the high school’s auditorium. He also gave signed copies to the 19 authors/illustrators, now in fifth grade. The students wrote the book in third grade about their classmate Mikayla Resh. Mikayla was born brain damaged and has severely impaired vision and hearing. Profound cerebral palsy confines her to a wheelchair, her mother, Kimberly Resh, said earlier this year.
In the book, the kids write about their experiences with Mikayla and things they learned from her.
After posing for pictures and speaking to the authors, Aiken then arranged for limousines to pick up the students and transport them in style back to the school in time for lunch. The buses they came in that morning had already left with the rest of the students aboard.
One of the authors, Michael Allen, just about burst when he heard the news.
“Oh my God! Thank you! Is this a dream?” Allen said. “A limo is the best. It is like the first time I’ll be in a limo. It is so awesome.”
“Limos are for classy people,” Aiken said. “You are classy people.”
5 comments:
Wow! What a day for local schools! Not to be outdone, Bushkill Elemntary had the following ...
Amanda Bynes visits Bushkill Elementary School during National School Breakfast Week Celebrations.
(Nazareth, PA, December 11, 2006) –Amanda Bynes will eat lunch with Bushkill Elemntary students today as part of the celebration of National School Breakfast Week (NSBW). The theme for the week of December 11-15 is “Go Places with School Breakfast”
The School Breakfast Program began as a pilot project in 1966, and was made permanent in 1975. National School Breakfast Week is designed to help raise awareness of and garner support for the role that school foodservice and nutrition programs play in the lives of America’s children today, and in the strength of America tomorrow.
The School Nutrition Association (SNA) helps celebrate the event each year with a theme and promotional materials. SNA is a national, non-profit professional organization representing more than 55,000 members who provide high quality, low-cost meals to students across the country. Founded in 1946, SNA (formerly the American School Food Service Association) is the only association devoted exclusively to protecting and enhancing children’s health and well being through school meals and sound nutrition education.
What a big heart he has and what a wholesomely refreshing celebrity that Clay Aiken is, to make time for reading to the kids. Very thoughtful gesture - the limos. Mikayla story is a must read for school kids.
Quoting David Foster, "There is only one, THE FANTASTIC CLAY AIKEN!"
Authors/illustrators from Nazareth School, you should be proud of yourselves. Bravo to you! Kudos to the supporters of these amazing children. Mikayla, you are loved, kid!God Bless!
You can read more about his visit from the Morning Call here and here.
Also, a thanks to JD Malone who sent the note to me and who wrote this article in the Express-Times read it here
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