News

Pius X pupil scores famous guest reader

By Jeff Kurowski
Compass Assistant Editor

APPLETON -- Packers wide receiver Greg Jennings admitted that he felt pressure to perform.

"I will be so embarrassed if I drop one of these balls," he said.

The second year pro was not referring to passes from Brett Favre, but throws from a group of kindergarten quarterbacks last week at St. Pius X School. He hauled in all passes within reach.

Jennings' pass catching display followed a book reading in Nancy Fink's kindergarten class on Oct. 24. Number 85 was the surprise reader by invitation of Trenten Blackman. Each student may invite a surprise reader throughout the school year. The special guest reads a book to the class.

Blackman and his mother, Kelly Recker, met Jennings at a public autograph signing event last month at the Fox River Mall.

"Trenten drew a picture of Greg Jennings holding a football," said Recker. "We asked him if he would please be a surprise reader in Trenten's class. We also gave him a letter inviting him in hopes that he would remember. A week later, his wife called the school."

"I still have the picture," said Jennings. "They asked me really politely to come to the school. I am usually really busy with engagement after engagement, but this worked out perfectly."

Blackman sat with his guest in the front of the class as Jennings read the book The Little Red Hen. The story features a teamwork theme. Jennings encouraged the children to work together with their classmates and their teacher.

"Trenten can't do it all by himself," he said. "The teacher can't teach the class without your participation. So, the better you work with your peers and your teacher, the easier it will be, and the better you will learn and retain knowledge."

Jennings welcomed the chance to speak to the children.

"Any time you can spend a moment with a group of kids, it's a great opportunity," he said. "I probably enjoyed the book more than the kids. Obviously, they knew what the book was about. I couldn't wait to turn the page to see what happened next."

While talking with the class, one student said, "You're really good!"

"That's always nice to hear," replied Jennings.

When he asked the students to name their favorite football player, Brett Favre was the first response.

"That's a good answer," said Jennings, while laughing. "That's a safe answer."

"He loves kids," said Nicole, Greg's wife, who accompanied him to the school along with their 9-month-old daughter Amya. "He is starting a foundation for kids, the Greg Jennings Foundation for Underprivileged Kids in Kalamazoo (Mich., his hometown). He has always loved kids. This was his first reading at a school."

St. Pius welcomed Jennings with a large banner, green and gold balloons and a Packer flag displayed near the office. Following his classroom visit, St. Pius students lined the hallways for high fives as Jennings left the school.

Fifth grader Jeff Steers was excited to see the player who caught Favre's record breaking 421st touchdown pass.

"I watched the whole game when he broke the record," he said. "It was great to see him at our school. This was the first time a Packer came to school in the years I've been here."

Steers was surprised to find out the kindergarten students threw passes to Jennings.

"They're so lucky!" he said.

Jennings told Sr. Carol Jean Peterson, principal at St. Pius, that he hopes to return to St. Pius at some point during this school year.

Jennings was the first Packer autograph for Blackman. He already has his sites on another one of his favorite players.

"I want A.J. Hawk to come to my school," he said.