More than 150 students at Hope Medrano Elementary School were treated on Friday to a reading celebration with WWE stars.
WWE and nonprofit First Book hosted the celebration to promote reading. WWE Superstar Sin Cara, WWE Divas Paige, Lana, Naomi and WWE announcer Lillian Garcia wowed students at the school.
Medrano Elementary Principal Dr. Vincent Garcia said the school’s emphasis on early literacy made it a perfect choice for a wrestler-sized reading celebration. Each student at Medrano received a copy of “Nino Wrestles the World” by Yuyi Morales to take home.
“This was an experience like no other,” Garcia said.
The wrestling stars were in town for WrestleMania 32, which happened Sunday night in Arlington. In addition to promoting literacy, Garcia said the wrestlers inspired the students.
“For the students to see wrestlers in real life, and to hear from the wrestlers about their experiences in education, their challenges growing up, and the fact they can be successful, really inspires our kids to do the same,” Garcia said.
WWE and First Book granted ‘book wishes’ to 59 local schools and programs in Dallas, Arlington and Fort Worth. In total, nearly 50,000 brand-new books were provided to the Dallas area as part of the WrestleMania Reading Challenge.
