It’s been said that “a family that trains together, stays together.”

But for numerous student-athletes at Vacaville Christian High School, that adage has adopted new meaning this summer during its six-week summer program in affiliation with The Leaven.

The Leaven, a Christian non-profit that works in partnership with various community organizations to provide mentoring and tutoring to at-risk children, has held its Summer Success Program at the Alamo Gardens in Vacaville and the Groves Apartments in Fairfield with the dedicated assistance of Falcons student-athletes.

However, the connection between The Leaven and VCHS is far from new.

Dating back to the late-2000s, when the local non-profit and VCHS first teamed up, Falcons’ assistant baseball coach Danny Lindsey distinctly recalls taking part in a similar program while playing baseball at VCHS. Now, as a coach, Lindsey has seen the efforts of his Falcons family go full circle as The Leaven’s regional director for the Vacaville, Suisun and Fairfield area.

“I love what athletics does, and not just for the fact that it’s fun, but how it brings people together,” Lindsey said. “For me, having been an athlete who competed at VCS and played in college, to see the athletes care so much is amazing and it’s hard to describe. Seeing them give back to other little kids can bring tears to my eyes and it has.”

Since Lindsey took advantage of the opportunity in 2009-10, The Leaven has blossomed from one location to 16.

Beside fellow Falcon pitcher Quinlan Sweany, VCHS senior Justin Neace participated with The Leaven for the fourth time last week. Although the baseball team wasn’t the only club to take part in the heartfelt endeavor.

Along with VCHS athletes like Grace Richard, Tyler Kenyon, Adam Grabowski, Emma Alvarado and Maxie Harrington, Neace wholeheartedly enjoyed the opportunity to be a role model and tutor for disadvantage children these past few weeks.

“It’s amazing,” Neace said. “You’re like a mentor to them. If they don’t have someone there for them (at home), they have us and it’s hard to explain. A lot of them don’t have a father figure and I’ve talked to the kids and some of them have said how they haven’t been able to meet their dad. And that really hit me.”

Last week, the 6-foot-6 left-hander made fast friends with a 6-year-old from Fairfield. While the conversations were limited as Neace tossed grounders his way, the impact he made was quickly made apparent given the sense of glee that emanated from the pint-sized prospect’s face.

“The best part of it is seeing how much these kids appreciate us. These kids are known to get in trouble sometimes and when we’re there they’re well behaved … I’m grateful for the experience that VCHS has provided and we really do have more than some schools.”

The Summer Success Program is currently in it’s fifth week and will conclude next week as the school year quickly approaches. But for the young baseball coach and The Leaven employee, this collection of student-athletes are an outlier amid the individualistic world many have come to know.

“You always think of kids, especially in our generation, and how they’re into themselves and that they tend to do their thing,” Lindsey said. “But that’s not the case for these athletes. It’s great, not just to see them go and do it, but to see that they find more meaning behind it means a lot for someone like myself.”

Source: http://www.thereporter.com/general-news/20170725/vacaville-christian-high-school-student-athletes-team-up-with-the-leaven

Lauren Schad had plenty to keep her busy while attending the University of San Diego on a volleyball scholarship, but that didn’t stop her from giving back to her community.

Schad, a graduate of Rapid City Central High School, was awarded the Father Owen Mullen Community Service Award last month during the Celebration of Excellence for student athletes.

Her parents are Ralph and Laura Schad. According to the University of San Diego and information from Laura Schad, Lauren Schad and two other student-athletes were nominated by the University of San Diego’s athletics administration for their commitment to community service.

The award recognizes and honors student-athletes who make significant contributions to the community through community service and volunteering.

Laura Schad said Lauren was selected for the award because she continually goes the extra mile to help others.

She graduated in May with a bachelor’s degree in anthropology, and last week announced she will play volleyball professionally in France, with the Volleyball Club Chamalieres.

Also an enrolled member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, Schad has reached out to Native American communities wherever she goes, at home and in San Diego. Laura Schad said that outreach includes speaking to middle school girls and coaches in Arizona and at North Middle School in Rapid City, as well as hosting youths for games and celebrations.

Schad has also held volleyball camps for Todd County middle and high schools on the Rosebud Indian Reservation and planned to do so again this summer on the Rosebud and Cheyenne River reservations.

Veteran caregiver named June ‘Hidden Hero’

Jennifer Kellsy has been recognized as Rapid City’s Hidden Hero of the Month for June, according to a release from the city.

For 13 years, Kellsy has been a military spouse and a stay-at-home mother to sons Patrick and Ethan. For the past five years, she has taken on the role of veteran caregiver to her husband, Sgt. John Kellsy III, a U.S. Army veteran.

The Hidden Hero of the Month recognition is made by the city in partnership with the Elizabeth Dole Foundation and the VA Black Hills Caregiver Support Office. The honor recognizes veteran caregivers for their dedication, compassion and sacrifice.

Kellsy was feted during the June 19 city council meeting.

“We heartily thank our veterans for their service and sacrifice to our country, and their spouses deserve thanks for their sacrifices during the veteran’s service time,” Mayor Steve Allender said in a release. “Many of those spouses provide a special service and sacrifice even more after their soldier returns home with injuries incurred in the line of duty. It is the spouse that must take on the new challenges posed by the nightmares and aftermath of war experiences when the veteran returns.”

Source: http://rapidcityjournal.com/news/local/gooddeeds/our-good-deeds-student-athlete-praised-for-volunteer-efforts/article_b6cb8119-bbb5-5748-af9b-0639c6d9b03b.html

UW Football Student Athletes play pioneer games and engage with neighborhood children in different nature activities including skins and skulls identification as well as team building exercises.

Lindbergh Elementary School teacher Nicole Quandt opens the school library every Wednesday from 4 until 8pm to promote summer reading and give neighborhood children opportunities to engage in activities they might otherwise not.

To learn more please visit: http://www.nbc15.com/content/sports/Badgers-Give-Back-434190463.html

COLLEGE PARK, Md. – Senior Adam Greene earned recognition for his outstanding work in the community on Tuesday when it was announced that the Maryland kicker was named to the Wuerffel Trophy Watch List and to the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team®.

The Wuerffel Trophy, known as “College Football’s Premier Award for Community Service,” is presented annually by the All Sports Association in Fort Walton Beach Florida. Named after 1996 Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Danny Wuerffel, the Wuerffel Trophy is awarded to the FBS player that best combines exemplary community service with athletic and academic achievement.

Greene is also a nominee for the 2017 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team®, one of the most coveted off-the-field honors in college football. This year marks the 26th anniversary of the award, which was established in 1992 to recognize a select group of college football players who have made a commitment to service and enriching the lives of others.

Off the field, Greene has been heavily involved in numerous community service initiatives. He currently serves as the President of Maryland’s Chapter of Uplifting Athletes and Vice President of Maryland’s Student-Athlete Advisor Committee (SAAC).

Greene has also volunteered at the Best Buddies Friendship Walk, with the Youth Impact Mentor Program, and has served as a guest reader at D.C. and Maryland elementary schools. The Arnold, Maryland native is also a three-time Big Ten Distinguished Scholar and a three-time Academic All-Big Ten selection.

On the field, Greene appeared in all 13 games as a junior in 2016. He made 9-of-14 field goals and 37-of-38 extra point attempts.

Former Terp standout William Likely III was named to the Wuerffell Trophy Watch List and the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team in 2016.

Maryland players have now been named to seven preseason watch lists. They include: senior linebacker Jermaine Carter Jr. – Bednarik Award (National Defensive Player of the Year), Butkus Award (top linebacker); senior kicker Adam Greene – Allstate AFCA Good Works, Wuerffell Trophy (community service); sophomore punter Wade Lees – Ray Guy Award (top punter); junior center Brendan Moore – Rimington Trophy (top center); junior wide receiver D.J. Moore – Paul Hornung Award (most versatile player).

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Source: http://www.umterps.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=29700&ATCLID=211651797

High school students from the West Islip Students with HEARTT group, alongside staff and faculty, recently participated in the first Lions Bridge to a Cure walkathon, raising more than $1,800 to benefit Ride for Life and increase awareness for ALS. The event also honored local community members who have been diagnosed with ALS.

IMG_7632: High school students from the West Islip Students with HEARTT group, alongside staff and faculty, recently participated in the first Lions Bridge to a Cure walkathon, raising more than $1,800 to benefit Ride for Life and increase awareness for ALS.

Photo courtesy of the West Islip School District