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MVP: My favourite book is The Count of Monte Cristo: that’s why I’ve got this tattoo |
Heroes and villains
WWE stars join pupils in the WrestleMania Reading Challenge
WRESTLING’S answer to the Count of Monte Cristo came to Christ the King Primary School on Monday to tell children to read more.
Reformed WWE champion MVP (Montel Vontavious Porter), told the pupils how he turned his life around after spending nine and a half years in jail for kidnapping and armed robbery.
MVP and Natalya, a third-generation wrestler, entertained the children and answered questions, bringing WrestleMania to the school assembly.
Christ the King is the only school in the UK to be visited by the wrestlers on their European tour.
They were promoting the National Literacy Trust’s WrestleMania Reading Challenge where children read five books, comics or magazines, then write a
100-word essay on the one they like best about why their favourite WWE champ should read it.
Four lucky winners will be flown to Houston, Texas, to see a WWE match and their hero will read their recommended books.
MVP said: “I came to be involved because I’m an avid reader. I love reading. It’s sad and unfortunate that in the computer age kids just don’t want to read because there are other things that are entertaining. If their role models read then they will do the same.”
He added: “My favourite book is The Count of Monte Cristo. That book was so influential to me. I was 16 when I committed a violent crime and spent nine and a half years of my life in prison. It was while I was in prison that I met some individuals who really turned my life around.
“Not the system, but some other inmates.
“The main character was betrayed by his friends and while he was in prison they educated him and when he got out he got his revenge. That’s why I’ve got this tattoo, Monte Cristo. The best revenge is living well, because now I’m a WWE wrestler.”
When asked by one child how wrestling is like reading, he said: “Our matches are like stories. Usually you have a hero and villain. In the matches we have a hero and villain. Somebody has to win and somebody has to lose.
“You go through all of these emotions, you learn about your hero and they go through all these trials and tribulations and this amazing journey where they will hopefully achieve some triumph.”
Headteacher of the school in Tollington Park, Paul Campbell, said: “As a school we teach reading but we try to lift it to make it something very special. It was great.
“The kids were fascinated to see celebrities they know from a different world talking about how important it is to be reading.
“The children are very excited and pleased. A lot of the children watch wrestling, they know the personalities and even those who don’t watch it recognise them.”
Natalya told the school assembly her main rival is reigning WWE Divas Champion Michelle McCool, adding: “She’s got something I want. She has the gold but she won’t have it for long. She’s not third generation.
“I come from a long line of wrestlers. Walking in here today and hearing you guys scream our names, that was a really cool thing.” |
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