Atlanta’s Ron Clark Academy students, who famously remixed T.I.‘s “Whatever You Like” with lyrics about the 2008 presidential election, received an unexpected Christmas gift from Oprah Winfrey.
Clark‘s middle school received a letter and a $365,000 check from Winfrey to help more children attend the institution which assists low income students receive a top notch education. The school runs almost completely on donations and now with the generous donation would be to pay the $14,000 tuition for 26 children to attend the academy.
“We teach school all day and fund raise at night,” said Clark. “To have an unsolicited gift come like that is incredible.”
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Clark, who is the author of the best selling book The Essential 55 and well as a former Disney Teacher of the Year, opened the academy last year on almost solely donations. The school uses Clark‘s innovative techniques, including rapping, dancing and drumming to help the student learn material in a fresh new way.
The fifth grade class, who performed the “Vote However U Like” on several national TV shows, was overwhelmed with the donation.
“Everything they learn is enhanced because of the teachers’ dedication and creativity,” said Gloria Nesmith, whose son, Cameron, is a fifth-grader at the academy. “And Oprah noticed. I’m just overwhelmed.”
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Reported by Benjamin Chesna.
