Chesnut Elementary surprised by “A Wrinkle in Time” lead, Storm Reid
Chesnut Charter Elementary was ‘taken by Storm’ on March 2 when Hollywood starlet Storm Reid dropped by to talk about the importance of reading, her latest role in the movie A Wrinkle in Time, and her love for DeKalb County School District (DCSD).
ATLANTA, GA – MARCH 02: A Wrinkle In Time Star Storm Reid Celebrates “Read Across America Day” At Chesnut Elementary, Her Former School In Atlanta on March 2, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by R. Diamond/Getty Images for Disney)
Reid spoke to students about A Wrinkle in Time, took selfies with students, handed out high-fives, and laughed at her old yearbook photos. Before she left, Reid even dropped off a lunch for teachers and staff as a way of saying “thank you.”
Reid is a former student at Chesnut Elementary, a place she describes as inspirational and supportive.
“It’s amazing to be back—this is home, and I get to see a lot of friends and family every time I come to Atlanta,” said Reid. “To be back at my old elementary school is so great. To see the people who first believed in me and saw the specialness in me is amazing. To see my old teachers, how much time they invested in me and the students here now, it’s amazing.”
Reid said school comes first even with her busy schedule. She said she dedicates a minimum of three hours per day even when working. Reid showed her appreciation to Chesnut Elementary’s efforts in keeping the community well read-by donating a 150 books to the school.
“Reading is important. Reading can be fun and imaginative,” Reid said. “To see the students so excited made me excited!”
ATLANTA, GA – MARCH 02: Prinicipal Veronica Williams and Storm Reid during A Wrinkle In Time Star Storm Reid Celebrates “Read Across America Day” At Chesnut Elementary, Her Former School In Atlanta on March 2, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by R. Diamond/Getty Images for Disney)
A Wrinkle in Time, written by Madeline L’Engle, has continued to captivate readers since its publication in 1962. The book—the winner of the Newbery Medal, Sequoyah Book Award and Lewis Carroll Shelf Award—follows 13 year-old Meg Murry as she attempts to track down her missing father. The adventure takes her beyond space and time.
“It’s such an amazing opportunity for me to play Meg and be able tell Meg’s story, and to go on this journey with her,” Reid said. “But it’s also an opportunity to be able to represent girls that look like me and a lot of young people. It lets them know they are beautiful, smart and can do anything they want to do.”
Reid encourages any students who find themselves interested in the arts to pursue them with passion.
“You can do anything,” Reid said. “There are going to be ups and downs no matter what you do. If you want to be an actor, an astronaut or a doctor—it doesn’t matter. As long as you apply yourself, you have a good heart, and you stick to what you believe, you can do anything you want to do and achieve anything.”