Upstate Volleyball Gives Back to Community at Local Elementary School
10/26/2017 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Spartanburg, S.C. – The USC Upstate volleyball team recently gave back to the Spartanburg community by traveling to Fairforest Elementary School to assist with their special needs classroom.
The volleyball coaches and student-athletes had the opportunity to spend quality time with the special need students at Fairforest Elementary School teaching them how to play sports like kickball and soccer. They were invited inside the classroom and students taught them some new songs and dance moves.
Redshirt-freshman Emily Russell's mother, Angie, is a teacher's aid in the class the volleyball team assisted. Mrs. Russell is an alumnae of the volleyball and softball teams at USC Upstate and is a member of the Athletics Hall of Fame.
"We took a day off (of volleyball) to give back to our community," said head coach Jennifer Calloway. "What a privilege to have an opportunity to work with the teachers and students at Fairforest Elementary School. Our team did an absolutely phenomenal job reaching out to these young students. Anytime you can give student-athletes an experience of teaching and training other children, it is invaluable the lessons learned in courage, patience and the amount of energy put into even the simplest thing. I loved seeing the instant smiles and interaction among our team and students. We left the school with our hearts full. The teachers just pour themselves selflessly into these students."
Quotes from volleyball student-athletes reflecting on their experience at Fairforest Elementary:
Montana Swanson:
"I really enjoyed hanging with the kids at Fairforest Elementary. It was such an eye opener on the goodness of life. It was such a blessing to be around kids that smile and receive happiness from the smallest things."
Lily Dempsey:
"It was a great experience. It's nice to get together with the team and take a break from volleyball to touch other people's lives. The kids loved it and so did we!"
Kaleigh Kelley:
"Being able to work with Fairforest Elementary kids was an experience I will not soon forget. Their laughter, smiles and genuine love of life was contagious. I walked away from that day with a new perspective on life. They had so much joy in playing soccer, kickball, and running around with us – and we had equally as much fun! I'm excited for the opportunity to go back!"
Emily Russell:
"Having the opportunity to work and play with the kids at Fairforest was the highlight of my week. We had so much fun running around playing games with them. The kids had a constant smile that was infectious to all of us! It was awesome to see what my mom does on a regular basis."
Tamara Kaiser:
"Spending time with the kids at Fairforest Elementary was an amazing experience. Being able to witness their full hearts was so beautiful. My favorite part was getting to sing and dance with the kids and hearing their infectious giggles. There was not a time where I was not constantly smiling. I cannot wait to go back."
Follow Upstate volleyball on Facebook (UpstateAthletics), Twitter (@UpstateVB), Instagram (@upstatespartans), YouTube (USCUpstateAthletics) and text/e-mail alerts (www.upstatespartans.com/list-signup).
