The New Orleans Hornets recognized East St. John Elementary sixth-grader Jaren Stuart and fourth-grader Javohn Washington as Outstanding Readers from the community. ESJE Librarian Sandy Guillot, introduced the program to the upper elementary students as a way to promote reading. The boys nominated themselves as good readers and were choosen as two of five students from ESJE.

The New Orleans Hornets then chose Jaren and Javohn, plus six other students from the New Orleans area, to attend a basketball game with their families. The Outstanding Students were invited to the game against the L.A. Clippers. The students arrived early to receive some extra special recognition from the New Orleans Honey Bees, Hugo the mascot, and even met No. 5 Marcus Thorton of the Hornets. During the half-time of the basketball game, all of the Outstanding Readers were introduced to the crowd from center court to receive their reading certificate.

Guillot said, “We are all very proud that our ESJE students were choosen to further promote reading and the community support from the N.O. Hornets. It was a once in a life-time opportunity.”