Robert Harvey Elementary School students got a big surprise during their Accelerated Readers and Good Behavior celebrations on Friday.

R&B Singer & Songwriter, Keri Hilson and retired NFL Seattle Seahawks Super Bowl-winning wide receiver and Albany native Ricardo Lockette showed up to motivate the students about school. Lockette spoke to them about The Importance of Having Good Behavior and Hilson spoke on How Good Reading and Writing Habits Prepare You for the Career Choices.

Lockette shared, “When you have bad behavior, bad things start happening to you, so to avoid getting in trouble, you have to obey your teachers and your parents to be successful in life.” "I want to encourage you that whatever your interests are, whatever you love to do, it's starts right here, just like it started right here for me," Hilson told them, describing how she turned her love of reading and writing into a career in singing and songwriting.

Principal Dr. John Davis said they hold these celebrations throughout the year, but this one was extra special.

"If you do the right thing, if you apply yourself, you can become anything, you can do anything," he said. "As Ms. Keri talked about, the writing and the reading — I believe just coming from her, those were just words that will just resonate in our students' minds."

As part of the AR and Good Behavior Celebration, RHES students received gifts Friday, including bikes, backpacks, and toys, which were donated by the school's community partners. It’s part of a good behavior initiative the school is doing. One of the school's community partners, who wants to remain anonymous, donated some of the gifts. Principal John Davis said he's grateful for what all the community partners do for the school. "They not only donate to us but they volunteer with us, they build relationships. They have mentorships not only for the students, but believe it or not, for the teachers, too. So their support to use is invaluable, and our success could not happen without great community partners," said Davis.

Lockette and Hilson also donated bicycles and autographed the bikes for RHES well-earned students.