Cowboys, Fireworks and W Tout Big Thought Program

Big Thought honcho Gigi Antoni explained everything you wanted to know about SLANT 45, the nonprofit’s Super Bowl XLV “service learning initiative,” in this morning’s Dallas Morning News. But that didn’t stop her group and the Super Bowl host committee from staging a knockout “announcement ceremony” today at Cowboys Stadium. The extravaganza featured 600 local schoolkids; 2,000 business and civic leaders–including George W. and Laura Bush; a raft of former Dallas Cowboys greats; an orchestra; fireworks; and a performance by American Idol winner Jordin Sparks. Bankrolled by Bank of America and philanthropists Ted and Shannon Skokos, SLANT 45 will send more than 20,000 local students into the community to perform at least 45,000 hours worth of good works, starting early next year. Addressing the kids in attendance, former President Bush explained: “It’s an opportunity to learn and love a neighbor just like you love yourself.” One ironic note in today’s big bash came at the end, when Sparks (pictured) performed her new single Battlefield with W just behind her, bobbing his head to the beat. Sang Jordin: “I didn’t mean to start a war …”