There was no shortage of smiles for those in attendance at the opening of the Ben Carson Reading Room at Benjamin Carson High School of Science and Medicine in Detroit, Michigan. On Wednesday, February 21, 2014 with support from students, staff, community members and IKEA Canton, the school that shares Dr. Carson’s name became the 101st school to establish a Ben Carson Reading Room.
The ceremony began with a warm welcome from Mistress of Ceremonies, Cerise Rustin Tounsel. Ben Carson High School students were integral in creating the reading room, therefore, it was only fitting that they played a major role in this joyous occasion. Members of the Ben Carson NJROTC Color Guard had the honor of presenting the colors. Student Kiera Johnson marked the occasion by singing the inspirational hymn “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” Students also performed poetry and shared Dr. Carson’s THINK BIG acronym.
In addition to the students, this project was enthusiastically embraced by the community. IKEA Canton volunteers provided assistance with the design and labor of the reading room. Representing IKEA Canton was Marketing Manager Amanda Preston. Also celebrating this monumental occasion were BCHS Board Member Dr. Reginald Eadie and Detroit Public Schools Superintendent Karen Ridgeway. With the opening of the Ben Carson Reading Room students can truly follow in Dr. Carson’s footsteps both in reading and in their professional endeavors.
Thanks IKEA Canton and Kristen Maher and the advisory students for creating the Ben Carson Reading Room.
Check out Detroit Public Schools press release on the reading room opening here. Also see the article from mLive on the reading room opening here.