The Ben Carson Foundation Reading Room is now open at Ballard Elementary School. A celebration took place on January 16, 2025, in the media center, another uniquely designed space within the school.
The event was well-attended by local dignitaries, including Mayor Gene Brown and Bradenton City Councilwoman Marianne Barnebey, along with School Board Members: Chad Choate (Chair), Cindy Spray (Vice-Chair), Heather Felton, Charlie Kennedy, and Richard Tatem. School district leaders, Bradenton Police officers, community advocates like John and Amanda Horne (Co-founders of Dive into Reading), business partners, school staff members, and a very special guest – Lacena “Candy” Carson, wife of former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and retired neurosurgeon, Dr. Ben Carson, were also present.
The Ben Carson Reading Project, an initiative of the Carson Scholars Fund, aims to create a literacy-enriched environment for children to develop their reading skills. This project provides students with a warm, inviting space to foster their love for leisure reading and enhance their educational experience.
A bulletin board on the wall behind Mrs. Carson reads, “Where in the world will you travel this year?” She thanked all stakeholders for their active participation in the education and success of future generations before introducing a video message from Dr. Ben Carson, who advocates the importance of literacy. As a child, turning off the television and reading books, paired with writing a weekly book report for his mother, turned his academic success around. Dr. Carson also emphasized in his message that books can take a child anywhere and immerse them in a world of imagination.
The celebration continued in the Ben Carson Foundation Reading Room, a whimsical space where hot air balloons hung from the ceiling, with a photo of staff members riding in the balloon basket. The words, “Think Big,” were replicated across the room. Students were intently reading their favorite books, such as Elephant & Piggie and the Dog Man series, while sitting on state-of-the-art seating options like bean bags and rockable chairs. The inviting and imaginative design of the reading room creates an engaging atmosphere that encourages students to explore new worlds through books.
A big highlight for students was an eye-catching wall mural painted by artist and Manatee County native, Olivia D’Amico. One young man was so excited about her artwork that he insisted on finding out how she created the different images before returning to class. Olivia, the founder of Friendly City Foundation, helps create avenues for mentoring, opportunity, resources, and education for anyone looking to take their next steps in life. Before graduating from Braden River High School in 2011, she attended Haile Middle, Freedom Elementary, and Bashaw Elementary Schools. Olivia happens to attend the same yoga studio as Ballard Elementary Media Specialist Teresa Werneke, who was searching for a brilliant artist for the project and the rest is history.
Shortly after cutting the bright orange ribbon to signify the opening of the room, School Board Chair Chad Choate pulled the artist aside. It wasn’t their first meeting; the now financial advisor began his career as a math teacher, and Olivia was one of his first students at BRHS. He praised her for giving back and serving the same community where she grew up. It takes the collective effort and dedication of an entire community to accomplish the vision and success of creating innovative learning environments, where every member's contribution plays a crucial role in fostering educational excellence and student growth.
Ballard Elementary, a Title I school, is proud to be the second school on Florida’s west coast to open a Ben Carson Foundation Reading Room, with the first being in St. Petersburg. There are nearly 300 of them across the country. The event was generously sponsored, and the project came to life thanks to The Mark and Kimberley Miller Charitable Foundation in partnership with Bayside Community Church and The Bradenton Dream Center.