SAN ANTONIO -- One hundred UIW student-athletes from 12 different sports visited schools in the Harlandale Independent School District (HISD) and the San Antonio Independent School District (SAISD) in honor of National Student-Athlete Day. The all-day affair consisted of visits occurring from 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. at Gilbert Elementary, Adams Elementary and Cotton Academy. The UIW Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and the Life Skills department headed the initiative.
 
"We, as college student-athletes, possess the rare capability to evoke changes in the lives of others," said Karina Velez, UIW SAAC President and cross country/track student-athlete. "We hope we were able to impact many of the youth through engagement, laughter, communication and service. SAAC's mission is to lead and serve others, and that's what we did today. A huge thank you to Aaron Moran, Mandy Pulido and the counselors of the schools who coordinated the day's events."
 
Student-athletes were charged with various tasks at each school. They joined art classes, helped with puppet shows, visited classes during their lunch periods, helped run exercises in PE classes, assisted in the library during technology time, visited classrooms, and, most importantly, expressed to the students the importance of education, character, service and teamwork.
 
"Everyone's faces lit up to see so many kids smiling - they were so excited to meet us," said Marissa Watters, women's swim team freshmen who visited Gilbert Elementary.
 
"We had a blast getting to meet and create new friendships with some amazing kids. It was so cool to see so many kids inspired by the fact that we are student-athletes and to know that they too could grow up and be like us."
 
"Our visit to Adams Elementary went really well," said Joey Vatanadilok, men's tennis senior. "We were split up so half of us went to interact with students in the classroom while the other half went to participate in physical activity during PE. Personally, it gave me a sense of nostalgia too, knowing that I was once in their position and remember what it was like having older people play with me."
 
"Today we were able to give back to the community by speaking to younger kids about college and what it takes to be successful," said Imani Robinson, SAAC representative and women's basketball student-athlete. "We talked to them about important things like grades, good behavior and creating good habits now so that you can have them when you get to college.
 
"It feels good to be able to give back to the community in this way because kids need positive role models and people to look up to. I hope that this opportunity we had to speak to them really opened their eyes to the fact that their future starts now and they can build and grow and work towards their future every day, regardless of what age they might be."
 
"I hope that we were able to be good role models for the kids," added Roman Cano, men's soccer sophomore. "Hopefully some of the words of wisdom we shared from experience resonated with them on a deeper level and will help them grow as individuals."
 
It's always a great day to be a Cardinal in the community. To date, UIW student-athletes have served over 4,000 hours in the community. If you would like a Cardinal team to come visit your school or organization, please email Amanda Pulido at apulido@uiwtx.edu.