Wally, the Green Monster surprised students at Dunning Elementary School last week as they prepared to compete in the school's Summer Reading Olympics program.

Students, in grades k-5, will be asked to compete in various categories as part of the school's summer reading program.

Wally helped light the Olympic torch at the event. Later, Wally particpated in story time, with a book featuring him as the lead character, with the students, and led those assembled in a rendition of Take Me Out to the Ball Game.