RCA Dedicates New Library

THE RON CLARK ACADEMY OPENS ITS NEW LIBRARY; IT’S BUOYANT WITH MORE THAN BOOKS 

The $600,000 renovation project exemplifies successful community collaboration

 On February 13^th, The Ron Clark Academy officially added a new building to its campus portfolio.  And this time instead of a two-story, blue slide, the new library houses a bungee trampoline. In keeping with the school’s mission to make learning innovative and fun, founder Ron Clark wanted this library to have something unique and different and to be like no other library in the world. The students will earn the privilege to jump by reading a designated amount of books each quarter. 

                              Chi Chi Ugwuh, Top Reader, takes inaugural jump

The library is named The Great American Library in honor of the school’s first donor.  During the Academy’s start-up phase in 2005, Great American Financial Resources, Inc., based in Cincinnati, OH, gave the school a $500,000 donation.  The money was the initial seed money used for rebuilding and renovating the current school site.

“We are absolutely thrilled that this day has arrived,” said founder, Ron Clark.   “As we watch our campus grow and evolve into the magical place that Kim Bearden, our co-founder, and I first envisioned, we will never forget those who believed in us from the beginning.  So today, we’re very proud to name this building in Great American’s honor.  It’s our way of saying thank you for their initial and on-going support.”

              Great American Financial Resourdes, Inc. executives with Kim and Ron 

In addition to the trampoline, the two-story brick building includes a café that will be run by students for special events and teacher visitation days.  Equipped with wireless internet access throughout, the library will provide cutting edge research and learning options for both students and parents.  The library interiors utilize sustainable materials and finishes throughout, including the green certified wood bookshelves.  And like the main school building, the walls and ceiling are covered with colorful aerosol art created by local artist Mister Totem.

                                 Tom Maxey takes his inaugural jump        

                                 Kim Bearden takes her first jump

The new library is a true collaborative effort and would not have been possible without a collective effort from a host of generous corporations and companies.  In addition to Great American Financial Resources, major contributors to the project include: Columbia Residential, Comcast Cable, Selig Enterprises, Urban Studio, Verizon Wireless, AF Electrical Contractors, Art Plumbing Company, B&D Concrete Cutting, Inc., Barnes & Noble, Bell Custom Cabinetry, Cornerstone Security, Inc., Diamond Glass Company, Earthly Matters Contracting, Inc., GCI, Inc., Geo Hydro Engineers, Inc., Georgia Hardwoods, Haskells Hardware, Jordan & Skala Engineers, Inc., MidSouth Steel, Inc., Mitchell Metals, The Roof Depot, Stability Engineering, Trans-Atlanta Industries, Vertical Reality and W.S. Nielsen Company, Inc.

About Great American Financial Resources

The companies of Great American Financial Resources, Inc. (GAFRI) have provided retirement solutions for educators for more than 30 years. Through its subsidiaries, GAFRI is engaged in the sale of traditional fixed, indexed and variable annuities and a variety of supplemental insurance products. GAFRI is a subsidiary of American Financial Group, Inc. (AFG), based in Cincinnati, Ohio. AFG’s common stock is listed and traded on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) and Nasdaq under the symbol (“AFG”).  An American Company Serving America’s Educators, GAFRI is proud to recognize and support educators nationwide who make the future brighter for our children. For more information, visit www.GAFRI.com.