Today the Bush dynasty is in all parts of Dallas championing literacy. Starting off the morning blonde cutie Mandi Bush sans hubby George P. joined Bush cousin Jebby Bush and his bride Sandra at Peak Preparatory School. The reason was Bush Matriarch Barbara Bush’s annual essay contest, “Magic of Reading,” in which school children may participate. This year it was Miss Nelson is Missing! The children not only read the book but they also got to attend a performance by the Dallas Children’s Theater (pictured).
Promptly at 10 a.m., 150 students assembled (pictured) for a celebration of their efforts. Peak Prep Director Chris Garcia introduced the Bush cousins and UpLift Education CEO Yasmin Bhatia. The kids politely listened, but couldn’t help but be distracted by the DCT cast of costumed characters.
But before the performance the children heard via video from Barbara herself, who thanked the children and encouraged them to keep reading. She finished her taped visit by turning the event over to Mandi, who introduced DTC’s Robyn Flatt, who in turn introduced the cast.
Now it was time for a rousing performance “Swamp Stomp” from Miss Nelson is Missing! followed by Mandi’s (pictured in foreground with, from the left, Maria Rodriguez, Nicolas Vegas and Giovanni Rivas) presentation of the winning essays to:
- “Lessons Learned” by 3rd grader Nicolas Vegas
- “The Golden Rule” by 4th grader Maria Rodriguez
- “Miss Nelson is Missing” by 5th grader Giovanni Rivas
If you’re lucky enough to be among the sold-out audience for tonight’s “A Celebration of Reading” at the Meyerson, then you’ll get a copy of the three winning essays as a gift from the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy.
Carrie Eickenroht says
What a great write up of a great event sponsored by the Barbara Bush Foudation for Family Literacy.