The day was ending just like any other day at Starmount Academy of Excellence until dismissal, when the hugging and high fives began. As students exited the building, four basketball stars from the Charlotte Hornets – point guards LaMelo Ball, Collin Sexton, K.J. Simpson and center/power forward Moussa Diabaté – along with mascot Hugo and Honey Bee dancers, lined the exits to help send students on their way home.

Starmount was chosen to be part of the Hornets Tip-off Tour, in collaboration with Coca-Cola Consolidated and Classroom Central. The Hornets also surprised teachers, who gathered in the media center for what they thought was a staff meeting. Instead, they were served Coca-Cola floats and Dr. Pepper strawberries and cream floats, took selfies with the players and just had a good time.

“We’ve been talking about showing teachers appreciation, and that’s something that I’m always reaching out to try to do with the community,” said Starmount Principal Kylene Collins. “Classroom Central and Coca-Cola Consolidated were a blessing to come forward and say, ‘We have this opportunity with the Hornets, and we’d like you to be part of the Tip-off Tour.’ We’re really excited.”

Coca-Cola Consolidated will be bringing surprises to the school throughout the year. They kicked off that plan with a new refrigerator for the teachers.

Madeline Bone, a multiclassroom leader and instructional coach, was one of the trusted few who knew about the surprise and helped the event go smoothly.

“I literally woke up this morning and was like, ‘I’m so excited,’” she said. “Things like this lighten the teachers’ moods, get us happy and excited, but it’s also something to connect with that’s not work-related that we can keep talking about all week. I think this is something that they’re going to remember for a long time.”