The North Carolina A&T State University cheerleading team traveled to Hampton Elementary School to celebrate students with top Accelerated Reader (AR) scores.

All AR students were called to the cafeteria/auditorium during a special announcement. As the reading superstars trickled into the halls they were met with Aggie cheerleaders who were chanting, “When I say Aggie, you say pride!” The cheerleaders escorted students to the quarterly AR celebration.

Hampton Elementary has a partnership with the university that connects students with collegiate mentors who promote and encourage academic excellence. The Aggie Spirit Program is one of the many organizations at N.C. A&T that is a part of school’s empowerment program.

“We love to promote academics and allow students to see what they can become with hard work.” said Aggie cheerleading Coach Adjoa Botwe-Rankin.

The cheerleaders performed while the students enjoyed ice cream sundaes and later they shared how reading and literacy has helped them from grade school to the collegiate level.

The N.C. A&T cheerleaders and mascot strive to perform at least one community service effort each month. The team has cheered at schools and recreational centers, assisted with campus events and walked in the Greensboro Winter AIDS walk.

“Being able to give back to the community is rewarding,” said Botwe-Rankin. “To be able to represent the university, the athletics department and the various schools and colleges on campus is an amazing feeling.”