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A Readin’ RodeoWhat do you get when you cross a book, a friendly challenge, and a horse? The answer is Palmer Lake Elementary School Principal Tommy Watson riding a horse.
It took a lot for a city slicker like Watson, who had never been on a horse before, to take the stroll on “Ebony” an 8-year-old registered Paint horse that is owned by Fair Oaks Behavior Intervention Teacher Jim Oelka. Watson put himself in this position because he challenged the students at Palmer Lake to increase their reading. Students are awarded points for reading and the more difficult the book the more points awarded. The goal that Watson set for the students to reach was 4,000 points…but they went well beyond that, compiling 5,839 points. “I told the students that if they’d step up and commit to reading, that I would move beyond my comfort zone as well.” said Watson. “So here I am on the back of this horse in my cowboy outfit and singing and dancing in front of the students, the staff and parents.” Watson rode several laps around the parking lot and got comfortable enough on the horse to wave to the students and teachers lining the sidewalk. High fives and cheers were the order of the day as “Cowboy Watson” ended his Wild West adventure by taking a victory stroll along the sidewalk to congratulate the students on their reading accomplishments. |
Watson entertained Palmer Lake students by singing “Home on the Range” and line dancing to a Kenny Chesney song. But the highlight was Watson getting on a horse and riding around the parking lot.
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