Donors bring "Wonder" project to area kids

South Elementary ventured into a well-planned reading program for all students enrolled in fourth, fifth and sixth grade.

The book is “Wonder” by R.J. Palacio and is number one on the New York Times Bestseller List.

“The whole school will read for 30 minutes each morning during breakfast,” said Abby Moore, the South Elementary librarian who spearheaded the project.

The theme for the school this year is choose kind, create wonder. Moore went the extra mile by going to local businesses and individuals during the summer months and convinced them to purchase a hard copy of the book for each of the 350 students enrolled at South Elementary. The big reveal came Friday, Sept. 1, when each grade was ushered into the cafeteria for the big surprise.

First, the students watched the movie trailer of “Wonder” starring Julia Roberts. Then, principal Kenna Rainey explained about the book they would be reading as a school and then the curtain was pulled to reveal the stack of books on the stage. Next, Moore explained the procedure the students would follow in order to claim their very own copy of the book. Subsequently, each student was called to the stage where Rainey presented them with their copy of the book with a label, which included their name and the donor of their book. Finally, the students would go out in the hall where a photo was taken in groups of five or six and then they proceeded to a table to sign a thank you card for their sponsor.

Donors included: MT7 Ranch, Michael Thornton, Masters Chiropractic, Walmart, Rotary Club, Julia Fore, Greg Pitzer, David Clark, Heatley Surveying, H&H Garden Center, Thurmon Furniture, Rustic Charm, Turner Seed, Wilson Construction, Cassie Griffith, Karen Martin, Breckenridge InterBank, United Supermarkets, Graham Savings and First National Bank.