On Saturday November 11, seventeen Thomas Edison freshmen went to watch the New York Knicks play the Charlotte Hornets, at Madison Square Garden, because of their academic grades and their ranking amongst Edison freshmen this year. It was their grades that gave them the oppurtunity to go.
The entire trip was funded by Allan Houston, of the New York Knicks, who buys twenty tickets and food for every New York Knick home game(41 games). Which costs him around $3,000 dollars out of his own pocket each game. He buys the tickets for high school freshmen only, and then the PSAL gives each high school an opputunity to go.
The seventeen students had averages of 90 and above. They had the top seventeen averages for the first marking period.
Mr. Flaherty, the assistant pricipal for voctional shops,Ms. Fernandez, the ninth grade guidance counselor, and Fred, a school security officer, accompanied the seventeen students. Before the game started the students were shown how the floor on the Garden is change from ice to wood, from hockey to basketball. They also were allowed back-stage were only VIP personnel are allowed.
The students watched the game from "about five rows from the upper level" said Mr. Flaherty. Mr. Flaherty also said that, "usually Allan Houston speaks to the students, but was unable to beacuse he was getting theoropy." So prior to the start of the game, they met Larry Johnson from the NY Knicks, who said "hello", and spoke to them about the importance of education. Mrahil Ahmed, one of the ten students said, "that was the most exciting thing, I was a part of." Then the students were able to stand courtside for about a hour and half and watch players from both teams practice during the pre-game.
When the game started the Edison students were given "hot dogs, chips, and soda", said Mr. Flaherty. Which was also funded completly by Allan Houston.
During half-time Thomas Edisons students were recgnized publicy. After the game ended, the students were able to see where the press interviews players and coaches.