Cleveland Elementary Honors Horton

NORMAN, Okla. The children at Cleveland Elementary School honored OU gymnast Jonathan Horton Friday morning at a school-wide assembly.

Over 500 students, teachers and parents were on hand to congratulate Horton on making the U.S. World Championship squad and to give him a warm send off for the event, which will be held Oct. 14-22 in Aarhus, Denmark.

“The kids are starting to figure out that in two years we could be cheering for someone we know in the 2008 Olympics,” said Cleveland teacher Regina Bell.

After watching highlights of his performance at the 2006 Visa U.S. Championships, Bell presented Horton with a basket full of cards made by the students.

“Hundreds of cards were brought to my room this week to give to Jonathan. They were just wonderful and made from the heart. The kids were drawing his muscles' and his future gold medals. I'm sure they will find a very special place among Jonathan's medals, trophies and photos,” Bell said.

The 2006 NCAA all-around champion spoke about his experiences in making the U.S. Senior National Team and qualifying for the World Championships. He also related to the students the importance of setting goals and thanked them for their tremendous support of the OU team.

“I love the kids at Cleveland,” Horton said. “They're always there to support you and cheer you on. When you've got a bunch of kids show up at a meet, making posters and cheering for you it's a special feeling and a lot of fun.”

Horton bio | Horton Named to Worlds Team | USA Gymnastics

The OU men's gymnastics team has partnered with the school as part of a “Partners in Education” program instituted by Bell, the program coordinator, and OU head coach Mark Williams, a former English teacher.

“Coach Mark has been a great supporter of this program,” Bell said. “He knows that as educators we do everything we can to connect to our students. In this sports-driven society it is great to use the resources we have at OU.”

Despite classes of their own and training for the upcoming season, members of the OU team still find time in their busy schedules to make weekly visits to the school to assist teachers and mentor students. Gymnasts are assigned to assist a specific teacher with day-to-day activities including reading, practicing grammar skills and math exercises.

“Having the team at Cleveland has been a positive experience for everyone involved,” Bell said. “The students have learned about character, respect, goals and hard work. It is amazing what they absorb from these student athletes.”

Having the team interact with the students at Cleveland has also generated some excitement about gymnastics among the children. Every year the school has “Cleveland Elementary Night” at one of OU's home meets and brings over 300 fans to watch their favorite gymnasts compete.

“The children at Cleveland have learned so much about gymnastics because of our partnership with the OU team,” Bell said. “Parents have stopped me in the hallways to tell me they caught their son or daughter doing tricks' on their swing sets and trampolines. It really shows that children know who care about them and we know the gymnastics team cares about us.”

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