With the blue Dallas skyline shining in the background, Dallas Mavericks center Kristaps Porzingis joyfully held up a children’s book in a pre-recorded video and virtually read to children Thursday afternoon at Rosemont Elementary in Dallas.
Organizers said the young students anticipated the event all week and were thrilled to have a Spanish-speaking Dallas Mavericks player check in on students and virtually visit their classroom.
“I’m excited to have you all join me in a quick reading timeout,” Porzingis told the youth, as he smiled and laughed along with the book.
The students followed along to the book called, “El Perro con Sombrero: A Bilingual Doggy Tale,” and Porzingis read each page to them. The children’s book is an adventurous story about a cute doggy searching for his fur-ever family.
The event was the latest installment of the Mavs Reading Challenge, presented by Whataburger, a 40-day program designed to improve literacy throughout North Texas.
Dallas Mavericks game night host Chris Arnold also joined the festivities by computer and hosted various reading activities for the youth. The students also received goodies from the Mavs and Whataburger to boost morale and encourage the children to keep reading.
“Our special guest today had 28 points and 14 rebounds last night against the Spurs,” Arnold told the students. “He’s 7-foot-3 and really tall and from this country called Latvia. Here’s another hint. He’s only 25 years old. Before he played in America, he played in Spain and he speaks fluent Spanish. He speaks English, Spanish and Latvian. His nickname is The Unicorn!”
Porzingis then popped up on the screen and the children clapped and cheered.
Rosemont Elementary was established in 1922 and is located in the Oak Cliff neighborhood of Dallas with a rich tradition for excellence in education. The school offers a dual language program that helps children learn and be able to communicate in a second language, within an enrichment model.
As most fans know, Porzingis and Luka Doncic are both fluent in Spanish after playing in the Spanish Basketball League and often use both languages on the court, depending on the opponent.
Porzingis put those same Spanish skills to the test for the youth as he read a tale about Pepe, a lonely street dog without a home or loving family. One day life forever changes for the pup when a gusty breeze blows a sombrero on Pepe’s head and people suddenly notice the often-overlooked dog.
There are challenges along the way, but Pepe eventually finds a home – and the love and support – that he’s always sought in the upbeat and precious children’s book.
Derek Taylor Kent authored the book and Jed Henry provided the illustration.
After reading to the youth, Porzingis shared some parting words to the children that he spoke in Spanish: “Thank you for spending time with me. Let’s keep reading books and have a great day! ”
About 80 percent of children at Rosemont Elementary are Hispanic and Latino students and Porzingis gave the Dallas Mavericks a unique chance to connect with a younger dual-language audience.
“We are always looking for ways to offer special opportunities like this in our community to reach those that may not normally get an opportunity like this,” said Emily Luth, Dallas Mavericks community relations manager.
“Having KP be willing and able to read in Spanish is so important to us and helps these kids feel more connected and included.”
Today’s event was just one of several ways that Porzingis continues to give back to the North Texas community. KP is once again donating $500 per blocked shot this season to help fight childhood hunger across the region.
Last season, the #KrisStops campaign raised an astounding $104,000 for the Mavs Foundation and the funds were allocated to various local organizations to fight childhood hunger.
With 31 blocks on the season, the #KrisStops campaign is currently at $18,600 with Whataburger contributing an extra $100 per block. Whataburger is also backing the Mavs Reading Challenge and continues to remain a valuable community partner with the Dallas Mavericks.
In 2018, Rosemont was the first school to offer foreign language in elementary school. The FLES program offers Spanish to all General Education students through 135 minutes/week of conversational Spanish connected to themed curriculum.
ABOUT THE MAVS READING CHALLENGE
The Mavs Reading Challenge presented by Whataburger is a 40-day program designed to improve reading literacy throughout the DFW area and encourage the love of reading for kids of all ages. The Mavs and Whataburger are challenging students (K-12) to read, or be read to, for a minimum of 20 minutes per day for 40 days. If participants log and complete the Mavs Reading Challenge by March 31st, they will receive a Whataburger Certificate of Completion, a free meal coupon, and a Mavs swag bag.
The top 20 young Mavs Fans who read and log the most minutes during the Mavs Reading Challenge will receive an exclusive invitation to a live virtual pep rally for themselves and their school classroom with Mavs Mascots, Champ and MavsMan. Plus, they will get a special Luka Dončić miniature locker keepsake.
To sign up for the Mavs Reading Challenge, parents, kids and teachers can visit Mavs.com/ReadingChallenge.
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