July 23, 2008

BERKELEY - Several University of California student-athletes donated their time and valuable insight to Highland Elementary School students about the importance of academics and education during a visit to the Richmond, Calif., campus on July 18.

The session was part of Highland's summer program designed to inspire and motivate children to strive to be more successful in the classroom and includes about 300 students from kindergarten through sixth grade. The five Golden Bears to participate were Cody Jones (football), Matt Laird (football), Kirsten Auker (women's water polo), Jerome Randle (men's basketball) and Max Zhang (men's basketball).

The children listened to the student-athletes' backgrounds, goals and tips for becoming successful in the classroom and beyond. They also had the opportunity to ask questions and interact with the Cal athletes. Some of the questions the Bears asked were: What do you want to be when you grow up? Who wants to attend college some day? Who wants to play sports or do school activities when you get older? The children's answers were shouts of teachers, nurses, doctors, veterinarians, military officers, pilots, professional athletes and scientists. Almost all of the children expressed their intent to go on to college and earn a degree.

One sixth grader asked the Cal athletes what their personal goals were. To the children's surprise, they did not say fortune and fame, but rather expressed their desire to earn their degrees, possibly go on to graduate programs, provide for their families, and enjoy successful careers that could only have been possible with their dedication and willingness to embrace their work in the classroom.

The Bears encouraged to the children to pursue their dreams and reinforced the idea that anything is possible if they are willing to put in the effort to succeed. At the end of the session, the elementary school students presented hand-made cards and posters to the Cal contingent to show their appreciation for their time and guidance.