Foxborough Charter School Enjoys Reading Rally With Malcolm Mitchell

From the New England Patriots

FOXBOROUGH, MA — Students cheered wildly inside the cafeteria of the Foxborough Regional Charter School Tuesday afternoon as Patriots wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell brought his “Read Across New England” Tour to town to promote the benefits and importance of reading and literacy.

“Being able to share my love for reading and my own children’s book in Foxborough means a lot to me,” said Mitchell. “When I was drafted by the Patriots, I knew Foxborough and the New England area really embraced the kind of things I am trying to do off the field. During the season, the focus is on football, so when I got the opportunity [this offseason] to share the message that reading can take you anywhere, [this reading tour] was the first thing I wanted to do.”

Mitchell, an apathetic reader as a child, discovered the adventure – and magic – of reading in college at the University of Georgia. Fresh off of a very successful rookie campaign that ended with a Super Bowl championship, the 23-year-old Mitchell credits reading to his success both on and off the football field and is sharing his story through the work of his youth literacy initiative, “Read With Malcolm.”

“Growing up I did not like to read,” Mitchell said. “Reading was something I thought was boring, not cool and not fun, but as I grew up I realized in order to reach my full potential and be the best I could be I would need to read regardless of whatever situation I’m dealing with.”

That message is being delivered to students throughout New England this week as part of a tour of reading rallies at seven schools in five days. In Foxborough, Mitchell spoke to students about the importance of literacy and the magic of reading. Each student received a copy of the children’s book Mitchell wrote, “The Magician’s Hat,” which Mitchell read aloud.

“The one thing I want these kids to take away from these reading rallies is that every day is a day to be better,” Mitchell said. “If you have a goal, you will have a better chance of reaching that goal if you can read efficiently.”

Students were also entertained by magician John Logan, a Patriots employee and the son of FRCS Executive Director Dr. Mark Logan. John’s magic act helps Mitchell further the message that reading can be a fun and magical experience.

“It means a lot to be able to do this and share my story with these students,” Mitchell said. “My mom always told me good things don’t come easy and reading might not be easy for some of these students right now, but that doesn’t mean they should stop. Hopefully by seeing the fun and magic in reading they will stick with it.”

Images via Jeremie Smith