Halstead Academy Ben Carson Reading Room Opening

Thursday, Sept. 15, 2011 was a very special day at Halstead Academy of Art and Science in Baltimore County: the opening of their Ben Carson Reading Room! Principal Jennifer Mullenax started the assembly with a warm welcome. Her address included some of the wonderful things that the children would find in the new Reading Room—adventure, exciting people, and new places to go—all between the covers of books!

Many important guests were in the audience. One was esteemed Baltimore County School Superintendent, Dr. Joe Hairston.  Dr. Hairston’s message stressed the importance of reading, and how it could help make dreams come true.  He promised the students that if they used the room frequently, they would become successes in their communities!

Mrs. Candy Carson reiterated the importance of reading as evidenced in her husband’s life, and reminded the students that they never have to be bored as long as they have access to a book.

In the video recording of Dr. Carson addressing the Halstead audience, he thanked all of the people involved in the process of building the Reading Room, and reminded the students that it was built for them to explore the world.  “If you can read, you can do
anything!”

State Senator Kathy Klausmeier then presented the school with a special citation from Annapolis, and State Delegate John Cluster presented the school with a unique citation from the Maryland Assembly.

Following the program came the official ribbon-cutting, and everyone was transported to the heart of a forest as they stepped through the doors. As you enter the Reading Room, there’s a gurgling rock-waterfall fountain with greenery peeking between the rocks on one side, and two big black bear silhouettes sporting the philosophy Think Big.

Thank you to The Allegis Group for sponsoring this Reading Room!

To learn more about the Halstead Academy Reading Room, click here.

To watch the ABC-2 coverage of the Halstead Academy Reading Room opening, click here.