Student-Athletes and Staff Traveling to Belize for Courts for Kids Project
5/12/2017 12:44:00 PM | General
KENT, Ohio – The Kent State University Athletics Department is joining with Courts for Kids to send 19 student-athletes and four staff members to Aguacate, Belize May 16-24, to aid local community members in the construction of a multipurpose sports court.
"I'm extremely excited for our student-athletes to get an experience of a lifetime. This trip will give them a new outlook on life and change the lives of many children in years to come," said Assistant Director for Student-Athlete Development Katie Schilling.
While in Belize, these 23 Golden Flashes will aid Courts for Kids in its to mission to "Transform lives through building courts and cultural exchange." The Golden Flashes will be immersed in Belizean culture while working with members of the Aguacate community to construct the court next to the local school. The court will be used for volleyball, soccer, basketball, as well as community celebrations, dances and community health fairs. To date, Courts for Kids has constructed 113 courts in 24 different countries with the help of 2,179 volunteers.
You can follow the Golden Flashes' experiences throughout the week on Courts for Kids' Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages. Each Kent State volunteer will also be keeping a journal account of their experiences to be shared upon their return to Kent.
Those making the trip to Belize include:
Zenobia Bess – Women's Basketball
Taylor Parker – Women's Basketball
Lacey Miller – Women's Basketball
Jordan Korinek – Women's Basketball
Rachel Stypinski – Gymnastics
Kennedy Plude – Gymnastics
Alyssa Quinlan – Gymnastics
Lizz Hathaway – Soccer
Madison Spreitzer – Women's Track & Field/Cross Country
Brittney Jakscht – Volleyball
Amy Kober - Volleyball
Maddie Moxley – Volleyball
Heather Younkin – Volleyball
Jalen Avery – Men's Basketball
James Alexander – Football
Matt Bahr – Football
Danny Johnson – Football
Kyle Brooks – Men's Track & Field/Cross Country
Josh Gogan – Men's Track & Field/Cross Country
Katie Schilling – Assistant Director for Student-Athlete Development
Bridget Peot – Learning Specialist
Michelle Rura – Assistant Athletic Trainer
Keith Dea – Ticket Manager
