Sure, being a busy rockstar is fun and all, but when education comes a knockin,' Pond Monkeys come a rockin!  On Friday, September 20th, Alex, Derek, and Austin made their way over to Winfield Scott Elementary School for the Accelerated Reader Kickoff Assembly.  With this year's theme of "Reading To The Beat," it's only obvious that the Pond Monkeys would be invited to the celebration.  There's no better encouragement than that from a high school rock band.

Over the course of 15 minutes, the boys showed an intellectual side of them rarely seen.  As Alex encouraged the young children to read all that they could, Austin and Derek supported him with nods and applause.  "Our success in the Pond Monkeys comes from our success in school," Alex told the awestruck students.  "Reading helps out in all areas of your life."  Austin received some of the biggest cheers of the day when he chimed in with a book recommendation.  "My favorite book in grade school was Summer Of The Monkeys," Austin said into the microphone.  The seven year olds went nuts. 

Pond Monkeys performed acoustic renditions of Incubus' "Drive" and Green Day's "Good Riddance."  Surprisingly enough, one girl sitting Indian-style in the back of the gymnasium knew the words to both tunes.  As the children sat in awe, Alex and Austin harmonized beautifully over Derek's solid guitar playing.  To the band's delight, an encore performance was requested!  As the final notes of "Last Kiss" were strummed, the gym erupted in an unbelievable burst of prepubescent shrieks and screams for more.