PHOTOS: Washington Capitals’ visit at DC school came with some surprises

WASHINGTON — A number of surprises marked the Washington Capitals’ visit to a Southeast D.C. elementary school Tuesday.

At an assembly announcing gifts for Hendley Elementary School, students learned from Caps players Nicklas Backstrom and Braden Holtby that when they were in school, their favorite subject was math. The Caps’ Tom Wilson told the kids that his favorite subject was gym class, much to their delight.

The principal was also surprised to learn that in addition to the previously announced 45 tablets and 75 laptops from the team’s “So Kids Can” program, the school was going to receive a room makeover as well.

“I did know about the laptops, but I didn’t know about the makeover,” principal Sundai Riggins said. “Thank you so much. I don’t even know what to say, because I wasn’t expecting this.”

The Washington Capitals' Nicklas Backstrom, Braden Holtby and Tom Wilson presents the gifts of tablets and laptops to a Southeast D.C. elementary school. There was also the added gift of a room makeover. (WTOP/Kristi King)
The Washington Capitals’ Nicklas Backstrom, Braden Holtby and Tom Wilson present the gifts of tablets and laptops to a Southeast D.C. elementary school. There was also the added gift of a room makeover. (WTOP/Kristi King)
"I did know about the laptops, but I didn't know about the makeover," principal Sundai Riggins said. "Thank you so much. I don't even know what to say, because I wasn't expecting this." (WTOP/Kristi King)
“I did know about the laptops, but I didn’t know about the makeover,” principal Sundai Riggins said. “Thank you so much. I don’t even know what to say, because I wasn’t expecting this.” (WTOP/Kristi King)
The three Caps players were at Hendley Elementary School in Southeast D.C. on Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2018. (WTOP/Kristi King)
The three Caps players were at Hendley Elementary School in Southeast D.C. on Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2018. (WTOP/Kristi King)
The Stanley Cup champions were happy to help. "We're just a small piece of it. We're happy to be here, and make it a fun day, and give them a big surprise," Wilson said. (WTOP/Kristi King)
The Stanley Cup champions were happy to help. “We’re just a small piece of it. We’re happy to be here, and make it a fun day, and give them a big surprise,” Wilson said. (WTOP/Kristi King)
When meeting mascot Slapshot, an astounded child asked, "There's a person in there?" (WTOP/Kristi King)
When meeting mascot Slapshot, an astounded child asked, “There’s a person in there?” (WTOP/Kristi King)
The Stanley Cup champs shared what their favorite school subjects were with the students of Hendley Elementary School. (WTOP/Kristi King)
The Caps players shared what their favorite school subjects were with the students of Hendley Elementary School. (WTOP/Kristi King)
Backstrom and Holtby told the students their favorite subject in school was math. Wilson said that his favorite subject was gym class. (WTOP/Kristi King)  
Backstrom and Holtby told the students their favorite subject in school was math. Wilson said that his favorite subject was gym class. (WTOP/Kristi King)
Riggins said she couldn't wait to talk to the kids about the makeover. "We'll have students weigh in on the process to figure out what room they'd like to transform, what kind of things they'd like in the room," she said. (WTOP/Kristi King)
Riggins, the school’s principal, reacts during the Caps’ visit to Hendley Elementary School on Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2018. (WTOP/Kristi King)
The collaborative effort to fund the makeover by the Heart of America Foundation will include Caps players and Elliot Segal of the "Elliot in the Morning Show" donating $50 per Caps win during the regular season and $100 per Caps win during the playoffs. (WTOP/Kristi King)
The collaborative effort to fund the makeover by the Heart of America Foundation will include Caps players and Elliot Segal of the “Elliot in the Morning Show” donating $50 per Caps win during the regular season and $100 per Caps win during the playoffs. (WTOP/Kristi King)
The Caps players were at Hendley Elementary School in Southeast D.C. on Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2018. (WTOP/Kristi King)
The Caps players were at Hendley Elementary School in Southeast D.C. on Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2018. (WTOP/Kristi King)
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The Washington Capitals' Nicklas Backstrom, Braden Holtby and Tom Wilson presents the gifts of tablets and laptops to a Southeast D.C. elementary school. There was also the added gift of a room makeover. (WTOP/Kristi King)
"I did know about the laptops, but I didn't know about the makeover," principal Sundai Riggins said. "Thank you so much. I don't even know what to say, because I wasn't expecting this." (WTOP/Kristi King)
The three Caps players were at Hendley Elementary School in Southeast D.C. on Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2018. (WTOP/Kristi King)
The Stanley Cup champions were happy to help. "We're just a small piece of it. We're happy to be here, and make it a fun day, and give them a big surprise," Wilson said. (WTOP/Kristi King)
When meeting mascot Slapshot, an astounded child asked, "There's a person in there?" (WTOP/Kristi King)
The Stanley Cup champs shared what their favorite school subjects were with the students of Hendley Elementary School. (WTOP/Kristi King)
Backstrom and Holtby told the students their favorite subject in school was math. Wilson said that his favorite subject was gym class. (WTOP/Kristi King)  
Riggins said she couldn't wait to talk to the kids about the makeover. "We'll have students weigh in on the process to figure out what room they'd like to transform, what kind of things they'd like in the room," she said. (WTOP/Kristi King)
The collaborative effort to fund the makeover by the Heart of America Foundation will include Caps players and Elliot Segal of the "Elliot in the Morning Show" donating $50 per Caps win during the regular season and $100 per Caps win during the playoffs. (WTOP/Kristi King)
The Caps players were at Hendley Elementary School in Southeast D.C. on Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2018. (WTOP/Kristi King)

The collaborative effort to fund the makeover by the Heart of America Foundation will include Caps players and Elliot Segal of the “Elliot in the Morning Show” donating $50 per Caps win during the regular season and $100 per Caps win during the playoffs. Fans can donate to the program here.

Riggins said she couldn’t wait to talk to the kids about the makeover.

“We’ll have students weigh in on the process to figure out what room they’d like to transform, what kind of things they’d like in the room,” she said.

The Stanley Cup champions were happy to help. “We’re just a small piece of it. We’re happy to be here, and make it a fun day, and give them a big surprise,” Wilson said.

Holtby said it was a way to give back. “We’re giving back to our community, especially, and people in need — to just make everyone feel part of a team that way,” he said.

For John Flynn, of the Heart of America Foundation, he said helping improve the educational experience for kids is a life’s passion.

“Having grown up in a military family, going to different schools in different communities, I know schools are largely underserved and under-resourced,” Flynn said. “At the Heart of America, we really believe in giving kids the tools that they can succeed with and be inspired by.”

Kristi King

Kristi King is a veteran reporter who has been working in the WTOP newsroom since 1990. She covers everything from breaking news to consumer concerns and the latest medical developments.

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