Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
WEST VALLEY CITY — When sixth graders learned a reading contest could win them tickets to the rodeo, they had an unusal but welcome plea for their teacher.
"They said, can we please do our reading?" laughed teacher Carri Cooper. "They begged me to read in class."
Farnsworth Elementary is near the West Valley Maverick Center, where this weekend's Professional Bull Rider's Rodeo will pair some of the nation's best bull riders with the baddest bulls.
Farnsworth Elementary also takes part in KSL's Read Today program, so students got a little incentive—the class that read the most minutes would receive tickets for themselves and their families.
When Ms. Cooper's class learned they'd won in a school reading assembly, students gave a victory shout.
They got to meet one of the bull riders, Jay Miller of South Carolina, who came to their school to reinforce the reading message. "I think it's important to encourage them," he said. "Because right now, they can be anything they want to be."
Students asked how many bones he'd broken, posed for pictures and vowed to be Miller's personal cheering section at the rodeo.
I've noticed improvement, especially in students who are really behind. They need a lot of support and that's why we're here.
–Katie Bell
"The other classes were pretty competitive, so when we found out, I was cheering," said sixth grader John.
Another student agreed the tickets were a motivation to read extra minutes, saying, "I definitely have my country girl side."
Educators usually appreciate anything that helps students read. Katie Bell oversees the Read Today tutoring program at Farnsworth and said about 25 community tutors help struggling readers and are making a difference.
"I've noticed improvement, especially in students who are really behind," Bell said. "They need a lot of support and that's why we're here."
Whether it's tutors, tickets, or cowboys, educators and students can see a community rallying behind their efforts to succeed—and that's no bull.
