Tristan Flynn (gray jacket), a third grader at Brunson-Dargan Elementary School in Darlington, reacts Nov. 25 after learning during a surprise announcement he is one of two statewide winners of the S.C. Department of Education’s Read Your Way to the Big Game Contest.
In a surprise announcement, Brunson-Dargan Elementary third-grader Tristan Flynn won the S.C. Department of Education’s Read Your Way to the Big Game Contest. The reveal came during a school assembly Nov. 25 in front of all of Flynn’s classmates and teachers.
The University of South Carolina’s mascot, Cocky, also joined the celebration as Flynn grabbed his face in excitement.
Darren McPhail with Gamecock Athletics reads a letter to Tristan Flynn penned by University of South Carolina head football coach Will Muschamp. The two are joined on stage by the university’s mascot, Cocky, during a surprise announcement Nov. 25 at Flynn’s school, Brunson-Dargan Elementary. Flynn won the S.C. Department of Education’s Read Your Way to the Big Game Contest. Photos courtesy of Darlington County School District
For being just one of two students across the state to win the contest, Flynn received a new Gamecocks football jersey, four tickets to the University of South Carolina versus Clemson University football game Nov. 30, and pre-game sideline passes.
South Carolina head football coach Will Muschamp sent a congratulatory letter to Flynn. Darren McPhail with Gamecock Athletics greeted Flynn on stage to read the letter aloud.
Tim Newman, Darlington County School District superintendent, praised Flynn and Brunson-Dargan Elementary for all of the hard work.
“I’m very proud of Tristan, and happy that he will get to represent his team, the South Carolina Gamecocks, at the big game,” Newman said. “I am always a fan when an organization or an institution honors and awards our students. I am also thrilled for Brunson-Dargan Elementary and their participation in this program. They had over 100 students read six or more books. Their focus on reading is outstanding.”
The Read Your Way to the Big Game Contest is open to all of South Carolina’s pre-kindergarten through eighth grade students. Students must read at least six books in order to qualify for the drawing.
