The teacher of Hopkins Elementary have made a video to motivate their students to participate in the Mentor Schools Foundation’s Read-a-Thon.

Read-a-Thon is a contest that raises money for the Mentor Schools Foundation. The foundation, in turn, supports the school district via grants that pay for classroom equipment, programs and field trips that the district could not afford otherwise.

For example, the foundation recently helped Hopkins by supporting the community garden project and purchasing pedometers for physical education class.

The contest is underway across the Mentor Public schools district and runs through March 22.

The song featured in the video is What I Am by will.i.am.

"It was chosen for the students because teachers believe the lyrics are motivating, not only for this particular project, but greater self-esteem boosters such as believing in oneself, setting goals and following dreams," the school district explained on its web site.