City Officials, Others Unveil Reading Room at T.C. Williams

The new Ben Carson Reading Room opened Friday at for the students, but became a reality through the efforts of city officials, executives and others.

T.C. student and Carson Scholar Samuel Davies said he related to a book written by Dr. Carson, a pediatric neurosurgeon who has dedicated some of his resources to encourage reading among students.

In that book, Carson points out that “many school cases are full of (sports) trophies,” Davies told a packed cafeteria, but there’s often little to show for all those students who are academic achievers.

Carson spoke to the audience via a pre-recorded video message explaining how he went to an inner city high school in Detroit where most of the time teachers were disciplining and not able to teach.

“I went back to the teachers and I said what did you mean to teach today,” Carson said, adding that is how he got his education, along with the help of supportive family members.

Rep. Jim Moran (D-VA) recounted during his high school days how he’d sneak off to the library after finishing his paper route when he didn’t have sports practice without the heckling of his “jock friends” who would poke fun if they knew he was reading on his own time.

Reading “changed my life,” Moran said. “It opened up a different world…That’s what this is for—changing the lives of our young people.”

Alexandria City Public Schools Superintendent Morton Sherman thanked Mayor Bill Euille and Roy Heron of the D.C. Metro Chapter of the Carson Scholars Fund for starting the process.

“As we go into the weekend honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. let’s not forget what Dr. King stood for. Let us work to keep the dream alive,” said Euille, who served on the ACPS board before becoming mayor.

Euille also recognized City Councilwoman Del Pepper and City of Alexandria Librarian Rose Dawson in the audience.

Heron said: “Now that the spark is lit, it’s a flame torch” and offered his commitment to expand the reading room program significantly.

Marvin Figueroa, who takes care of health care and education issues for Sen. Mark Warner, said he’s encouraged that T.C. Williams is making such strides and efforts to “do better.”

The reading room is also equipped with iPads, Kindles and smart books along with technology and grants provided by the Verizon Foundation, who was represented at the event by B. Keith Fulton.