Tishean “Fresh Prince” Emmanuel took little time to get the precious attention of Aquebogue Elementary School’s kindergarten and first grade classes at an assembly Wednesday.
The childrens’ attention was a little easier to get than normal, because this was not just any assembly. Wednesday’s event was a promotional assembly for the Riverhead Central Faculty Association’s upcoming Harlem Wizards game, where teachers from across the district play against the nationally renowned razzle-dazzle basketball team.
The game will be played at Riverhead High School on Nov. 9. Tickets are available now on the Harlem Wizards’ website.
At Wednesday’s assembly — one of several held at various school buildings in the district — Emmanuel carried out a snappy presentation that got both kids and teachers involved.
He asked each participant from the crowd to do basic basketball tasks, and showed off some of his own stunts while cracking light jokes at the crowd’s expense. Students and faculty fired back and played along, and laughs and gasps were had by all.
At the end of the show, Emmanuel gave a free game ticket to each student who participated, and a signed print to each faculty participant.
“Come on, have a good time,” Emmanuel said in an interview before the presentation. He said that the Nov. 9 game will be a good thing to show up for “because all of that money goes back into the community.”
According to an RCFA press release, deserving seniors receive scholarships between $500 and $1,000, funded directly by the Harlem Wizards event.
“It’s a great event,” physical education teacher Tony Lawrence said. “It brings all of the Riverhead community together.”
Lawrence said that the fundraiser helps students humanize their teachers by seeing them outside of a classroom environment. “The kids are able to relate better to teachers. They see you in a setting be a classroom teacher, and then all of a sudden you’re getting crossed over,” Lawrence said, using a basketball dribble meant to confuse the opponent.
Physical education teacher Jill Galovic said she was “so excited” as well. “I remember the Harlem Wizards coming to my elementary school,” she said. “It was the coolest thing ever… It got me interested in sports, and it was very inspiring.” She hoped that the Harlem Wizards game could teach students something and be inspirational.
RiverheadLOCAL photos by Emil Breitenbach Jr.
The survival of local journalism depends on your support.
We are a small family-owned operation. You rely on us to stay informed, and we depend on you to make our work possible. Just a few dollars can help us continue to bring this important service to our community.
Support RiverheadLOCAL today.
