By Kathy Chouteau
A Team USA Olympian was in the house Mon., July 17 at Nystrom Elementary School in Richmond, when three-time Track and Field Gold Medalist, Tianna Madison Bartoletta, stopped by to read to the students.
The Olympian visited the “Read Aloud at Nystrom Elementary Freedom School” program as a guest reader of the book, When Things Aren’t Going Right, Go Left, by Marc Colagiovanni and also shared “a powerful message about overcoming your fears and frustrations by remembering who you are,” according to the West Contra Costa School District (WCCUSD) on Facebook about the visit.
The WCCUSD added that Nystrom’s special guest helped “support and uplift Freedom School students and to share the power of literacy.”
Bartoletta is not only a two-time Olympian and three-peat Gold Medalist, she’s also a current member of Team USA in Track and Field, according to the WCCUSD. She earned a degree in Social Work from the University of Tennessee and also found time to start Club 360, a personal development program for young girls. A native of Tampa, FL, the Olympian is also an advocate re: the Black maternal health crisis.
“Students were able to ask for advice, get autographs and share their morning routine of singing, dancing, mindfulness and affirmations,” said the WCCUSD about the visit. “Thank you, Tianna Madison, for an experience that will inspire WCCUSD students for years to come!”
