SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) -- Wednesday was no ordinary day at school for some Sioux Falls 7th graders. Clapping and cheering filled the auditorium at George McGovern Middle School today as C. Thomas Howell walked on stage Wednesday morning. Howell played Ponyboy in the 1980s classic The Outsid ers, the film adaptation of the book by S.E. Hinton. Disney takes over Batesland school for state testing "There's a character for everybody in The Outsiders. It doesn't matter what side of the tracks you're from. You can relate to somebody in this piece," Howell said. George McGovern's 7th graders read The Outsiders earlier this school year and watched the movie. On Wednesday, students got to ask him questions about the film. "It's just an amazing experience. It's crazy that he's even here. I know for a lot of us it's crazy for us even seeing him, answering all of our questions and stuff. It's just amazing," 7th Grader Sydney Sorenson said. Howell dropped off free copies of The Outsiders through the Stay Gold Foundation, which he started with his wife. He also talked about the importance of literacy and told the students they can make a difference. "It doesn't matter where you're from. It doesn't matter if you're from Sioux Falls, South Dakota or you're from Los Angeles, California. If you put your mind, if you put your heart and soul into it, you can achieve your goals," Howell said. As Howell wrapped up his time on stage he told the crowd to stay gold. Howell stopped by Ben Reifel Middle School Wednesday afternoon. The 7th graders there are reading The Outsiders right now. ...read more read less