What started as a classroom idea turned into an unforgettable experience for Ms. Feasel’s class at Central School, all thanks to a visit from a certain blue mascot.
After Boomer, the Indiana Pacers’ energetic mascot, stopped by for an anti-bullying convocation, excitement was already buzzing in the halls. But in Ms. Feasel’s classroom, it sparked something even bigger. “I’m a huge Pacers fan and always talk to the kids about it,” she shared. “Leading up to the convocation, I had the idea to assign the students a player from the Pacers roster and have them write letters and draw pictures. The students absolutely loved the idea and were so excited about the players potentially receiving their letters.”
Each student picked a Pacers player, and the classroom quickly filled with the sound of pencils scratching out introductions, questions, and kind words. The students wrote about their lives—their likes, dislikes, and personal interests—and asked the players for advice on everything from schoolwork to sports. Some even dove into researching their chosen player's basketball career, eager to make their letters stand out. “The students really took ownership of the letters,” said Ms. Feasel. “They asked about the players' day-to-day lives and what they were like as kids. It was so thoughtful.”
After mailing off the letters, the class waited hopefully. “We had talked about how the players are busy professional athletes and might not have time to respond,” Ms. Feasel recalled. “But we were super shocked to actually get something back—let alone to get a signed basketball, a heartfelt letter, and pictures of the students’ letters hanging in the players’ lockers. It was such an amazing surprise.”
That surprise came in the form of a letter addressed to the class, signed by several Pacers players, an autographed basketball, and snapshots of their very own drawings and letters proudly displayed in the team’s lockers. The excitement in the room was off the charts.
“The students were so excited,” Ms. Feasel said. “They had waited patiently, and were incredibly surprised and grateful. Each one of them took a copy of the locker pictures and the response letter home to share the moment with their families.”
The project not only deepened the students’ love for basketball but also showed them the power of connection and kindness. “Our class wants to extend another massive THANK YOU to the Pacers for making us feel so special,” Ms. Feasel said. “The kids and I look up to these athletes and love cheering for them. Feeling involved in their season was such a blessing.”
Now, with the Pacers fighting their way through the NBA Playoffs, Ms. Feasel’s class is cheering louder than ever—hoping their heartfelt notes gave the players just a little extra motivation to keep winning. Let’s go, Pacers!
