NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Titans running back Bishop Sankey made a special appearance at a Taylor Stratton Elementary School pep rally on Monday, encouraging third and fourth grade students to do their best during this week's TCAP Achievement testing.
"It was absolutely amazing," Principal Renita Perkins said of Sankey's visit. "The kids were excited, we were excited, everybody was excited and pumped and they were inspired…they have to be inspired. They have to know that it [the test] matters and that it makes a difference and we care and we believe in them."
Running back Bishop Sankey encourages students at a Taylor Stratton Elementary to do their best during this week's TCAP Achievement testing. (Photos: Susanna Nickell)
The TCAP Achievement test is a timed, multiple choice assessment that measures skills in reading, language arts, mathematics, science and social studies. The test is administered over multiple days.
During the pep rally, Sankey gave students pointers to be at their best for the first day of testing, including getting a good night's rest, eating a hearty breakfast and believing in yourself.
Following the pep rally, Sankey visited third and fourth grade teachers and students in their individual classrooms, reinforcing the importance of keeping a positive attitude throughout testing.
"These kids are young, but they're really the future," he said. "It was just important to get here, encourage them to do good on these tests because the better they do on their tests, the better they'll be set up in the future."
Sankey also gave students high fives for good luck.
"I was a kid once, and at that age you think you can do anything," Sankey said. "You have so many ideas of what you want to be when you grow up. It's the years when you just dream big. At that time, I would've loved to have somebody that was in the NFL come speak to me or come to my school. I think sometimes even when you don't feel like you're making an impact, you are – especially dealing with younger kids. They really do look up to you and being that positive influence for them is just a great thing."
He hopes to return to the school again to celebrate good test scores.
