April 25, 2007
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NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Vanderbilt student-athletes hosted 125 fourth graders from Paragon Mills Elementary on Wednesday morning for the annual Student Athletic Advisory Committee Field Day.
Paragon Mills Elementary, located off Nolensville Road, features one of the most diverse student bodies in metro schools. Chaperoning teachers reported that there were at least eight different languages spoken in the fourth grade group, with four of the students speaking no English.
“These kids had no idea what a lacrosse stick was and most of them have never picked up tennis racquet until today,” Brandi Kendall, a teacher at Paragon, said. “A lot of our students have never set foot on a college campus or even have a college educated family member. It’s so nice to see them out here just being silly with college athletes.”
The events of the day were chosen and executed by varsity teams. Many athletes chose favorite events from their own childhood, like the dizzy racquet relay race, hosted at the tennis team’s station.
“I’d be totally lost if I didn’t play all those relay games growing up,” VU tennis senior Jordan Magarik said. “You learn to stand in a line and work as a team, but you’re having so much fun you don’t even notice you’re picking up valuable life skills.”
The basketball, track, soccer and lacrosse teams also hosted relays, though the soccer station paused the races several times to indulge in impromptu dance-offs, where the fourth graders almost always showed up the women on the team.
The VU cross country runners opted for kickball, while the recent bowling national champions went old school with Red Rover, variations of Monkey in the Middle and freeze tag.
“It’s great to see everyone running around having a good time,” Head Bowling Coach John Williamson said. “Our athletes are into it just as much as the kids are.”
CHAMPS/Life Skills Coordinator Alison Bush helped organized the event in conjunction with the athletes on the Student Athlete Advisory Committee.
“Many of our athletes are not from Nashville, so this gives teams a chance to work directly with people in our community,” Bush said.
Following the day’s events athletes signed autographs and shared pizza with students.
“I think just getting the kids out here with college students is a wonderful thing,” Paragon ELL teacher Kirstin Oaks said. “The more you familiarize them with college life the more likely they’ll look at college as an option in the future.”
