Cicero Prep Celebrates Literature with Cowboy Breakfast

For the second year in a row, Cicero Prep hosted a special Cowboy Breakfast inspired by the classic novel “Shane” for the sixth graders, who recently read the book as part of the curriculum.

“Shane” is a western novel by Jack Schaefer published in 1949. The novel is a tale of a cowboy navigating life in early 1800s Wyoming, and features gunslinging, drama, and all the hallmarks of classic cowboy lore.

Inspired by the themes of the book, the breakfast was organized as an event to bring the spirit of “Shane” to life. This year, the event grew into a full-scale celebration that combined rustic “cowboy fixins” of flapjacks, bacon, and sausage with hands-on “Old West” experiences, giving students a unique taste of cowboy culture.

One of the most exciting additions was the presence of live horses, courtesy of a local philanthropy group, the Scottsdale Charros. The group, which raises funds for education and horse rehabilitation, played a big role in making the event memorable. A Charros member arranged for horses to be brought to the school, giving students a rare opportunity to interact with these large animals. For many, it was their first time seeing a horse up close.

Students learned about horse safety, including how to approach and walk around them, and had the chance to pet them under supervision. They also brought a roping station, where students practiced their skills with lassos, mimicking the techniques of roping a bull, but this time with a much safer roping dummy, as opposed to a real bull, of course.

“Last year we just had the breakfast part of it but there weren’t all these activities in addition,” shared Chelsea White, a Lit Comp teacher at the academy. “So, it’s really fun coming out here and being blown away!”

Blake, a sixth grader who donned a large cowboy hat for the event, was impressed by the incredible sense of community that made it all possible. “I thought it was pretty cool that a bunch of people just came out here and did this for all the sixth graders,” he shared in gratitude. “I think my favorite part would just be… the horses out here that people brought out and that people came together to work to make food for us.”

PSO President Amanda Campo shared just how much work went on behind the scenes to pull off this amazing event. “There was probably 30 people that had their hands in this and it literally took everyone to make it happen. Then this morning we were all here between 6:00 and 7:00 a.m. putting it all together and the teachers came out and helped and students came out to help. It literally took our whole community to do it,” she explained.

The breakfast’s success left a lasting impression on everyone involved at Cicero Prep. Literature is a foundational part of a Great Hearts education, and special activities like this one help to bring that literature to life for our young scholars. It was truly a day of learning, fun, connection, and a celebration of the cowboy spirit found in “Shane” that students will remember for years to come.

Do you have a story or know of a story that you would like to see featured at Great Hearts?  Please contact jmoore@greatheartsamerica.org.