Poplar Bluff High School students of Jeanette Miller’s class were chosen to receive a reward from Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs for participating in the Super Bowl hopeful’s reading challenge.

The students received individual gift bags containing a trading card, water bottle and pencil from the 15 and the Mahomies Foundation last month as part of the 'Read for 15 Challenge,' along with a personalized note from the quarterback with the salutation, “Your Mahomie.” The teaching staff further sweetened the surprise with cupcakes and supplied the students with customized T-shirts.

“When I was your age, I always had a love for reading and wanted to incorporate a reading program as part of my charity work,” wrote Mahomes in a letter to the students. “Reading can sometimes be hard, but with enough practice you will get better every day. Reading for 15 minutes – whether it’s before bed, at recess, or during your free time, will help you excel in school and life.”

The class has committed to reading for 15 minutes daily for the length of the school year, logging their time on a chart. Miller recalled becoming aware of the initiative via social media. She said she is “always looking for new ways to incorporate reading,” having earned her reading specialist certification in K-12 education.

“Even though our students are always encouraged to read, this program made them accountable to practice it every day to become better readers which ultimately will help them excel both in and outside of school,” Miller stated, noting that the program provides for a “great way to make reading fun.”

The Chiefs will vie against the Buffalo Bills in the playoffs on Sunday, Jan. 26, for the American Football Conference Championship, the winner of which will compete in the Super Bowl next month.

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Cutline: PBHS Principal Dr. Valerie Ivy (far right) joins Jeanette Miller’s class in celebrating an unexpected surprise from the 15 and the Mahomies Foundation on Wednesday, Dec. 18.