The Carolina Panthers and the Kendra Scott Foundation hosted a high-energy reading pep rally and Yellow Library bookshelf dedication at Montclaire Elementary School on April 14. The foundation’s Yellow Library Program provides access to new multicultural, bilingual and diverse books through its partnership with First Book, and the event was part of the Panthers’ Third and Goal Literacy Program.

This was the first dedication the foundation has held in Charlotte and the second year they’ve partnered with the Panthers, said Jen Arpin, senior regional marketing manager for the Carolinas for Kendra Scott. 

“We are thrilled to bring this program to the school,” Arpin said, “and our hope and our goal is to bring this program to elementary schools all across the nation and continue to support literacy needs for multicultural and bilingual students so they can envision themselves in any book they read.” 

The event featured a custom yellow bookshelf with educator-selected books in the school media center, where Panthers kicker Ryan Fitzgerald read to some students. He said his mother was a teacher who drove home the importance of reading every day. That was followed by the reading pep rally, which featured Sir Purr, the Top Cats, interactive games and a literacy grant.

“Today’s gift to Montclaire is an exciting celebration for us and provides us the opportunity to celebrate the importance of reading while doing something terrific for these outstanding students at Montclaire Elementary,” said Riley Fields, director of community relations for the Panthers. “Education is a foundational pillar of our community outreach efforts, and today supports that effort to give students a solid foundation in their formative years and reinforce the importance of strong reading skills and how that plays into the development of students and ultimately their pathway to success.” 

Principal Courtney Derrick said this opportunity puts books in students’ hands and gets them excited about reading.

“It makes them feel special,” she said. “The excitement and the buzz around the building is just so fun to see – there are so many smiles today!”