MAKING HEADLINES continued
Sporting hats, dressing like
characters from a favorite book,
and crazy socks were just few of the
endeavors designed to make reading fun
during the annual Read Across America
celebration held in the Carnegie and
Crafton elementary schools. The usual
emphasis on reading was amplified by
MAKING AN IMPACT
In March, students in grades 9-12 were
challenged to be an inspiration to others
in an assembly presented by Kevin
Atlas Laue. Nearly seven feet tall with
piercing eyes, the former NCAA Division
I basketball player shared a story of
encouragement and hope.
Due to a restriction of prenatal blood
circulation, Laue was born with a left
arm that ended just below his elbow. At
a young age, he was told that basketball
required two hands, but he overcame
adversity to play varsity basketball
in high school and was recruited by
Manhattan College, excelling at the
collegiate level and graduating in three
years.
To the students, Laue showed off his
size 17 shoes and demonstrated his
Calling members of the football team
forward, Laue urged them to be leaders
in the school and advocated for the team
to start a new trend by supporting all
students in all endeavors.
Laue spoke to student leaders and athletes
after the assembly, asking for a commitment
to make a positive impact in the school.
36
CARLYNTON
Kevin Atlas Laue, standing before students in
the high school auditorium, shares his story
of overcoming adversity.
basketball prowess by handling a ball
in his large right hand. “I would use my
nub (the nickname he gave to his short
forearm) to help grip a pass or block an
opponent,“ he told students, and even
asked for a volunteer to come forward
and “test” the strength in his nub.
Speaking directly from the heart,
the 28-year-old Laue asked students to
step out of their comfort zone to make
a difference. He encouraged support
among the student body, urging football
players to attend band concerts and
imploring others to make a commitment
to be kind to the underdog. “Lend a
hand, do a job without being asked,”
he said, “Challenge yourself, make a
difference, change the world.”
Junior Jaelyn Melko found Laue’s
story moving. “He took something that
some might view as a misfortune and
turned his life into something amazing,”
she said. Kevin Atlas Laue’s story has
been featured in Sports Illustrated, in
national news headlines, and was the
subject of a documentary. He now
travels the world speaking to youth in all
aspects of life. Before leaving Carlynton,
he spoke to a smaller group of student
leaders and athletes, sharing personal
stories and further encouraging them
to make a positive impact to the school
community.
Carnegie Elementary fifth graders Carlee
Hughes, Diego Tuapante, Madison Klayko,
and Carsen Dunlap dressed as characters in a
Harry Potter novel as part of the Read Across
America celebration of reading.
Local author Lisa Satira-Brozek attended the
Crafton Elementary Family Reading Night
and read her book, Bella Butterfly Lost in the
City, to students and parents.
As a PTA
fundraiser,
Crafton
Elementary
Principal
Marsha
Burleson
and several
teachers were
duct-taped to
a wall of the
school during
Family Reading
Night.