College Park Skyhawks Host “Drop Everything and Read” Event at West Clayton Elementary

Skyhawks Donate 500 Books to West Clayton Elementary to Help Celebrate “Read Across America Week” 

COLLEGE PARK, Ga. – On Friday morning, the College Park Skyhawks hosted a “Drop Everything and Read” event for students at West Clayton Elementary School to celebrate “Read Across America Week.” 

Each classroom of pre-k through fifth grade students received a donation of books, totaling 500 for the entire school, enough for each student to walk out with a free book. 

“Reading is everything, and it takes you places,” said Assistant Principal of West Clayton Elementary Zakiyya Whittle. “It’s the fundamental theme to success, and it’s been so much fun not just today, but throughout the year, for our scholars to have the Skyhawks come into our school and get them engaged into reading a book.” 

The event included 19 volunteers from the Hawks and Skyhawks organizations who read aloud to every student. 

The celebration is part of the Skyhawks’ yearlong “Colli’s Classroom” school adoption program, which started in September and aims to support West Clayton through at least two events at the school per month. 

“This has been one of the most rewarding community initiatives we have worked on this season,” said Janice Koon, Vice President of G League, and NBA 2K League Operations for the Atlanta Hawks. “Our team has completely embraced the opportunity to come out and be a part of Colli’s Classroom.” 

Events have included basketball clinics, PE takeovers, service projects, reading days, book fairs, holiday-themed events and more. 

“Our relationship with the Skyhawks has been wonderful, and we are so thankful for them,” said Whittle. “Colli’s Classroom has been a wonderful program, and it’s not just an organization coming in and executing one thing, its impactful programing. It’s reading, finances, hosting a girls’ basketball clinic, promoting perfect attendance, promoting kindness, and it’s been such a great collaboration.” 

The Skyhawks host the second-place Osceola Magic tonight at 7 p.m. at Gateway Center Arena, followed by a rematch on Saturday at 6:30 p.m.