Huskers Speak on the Importance of Education

By: Lindsay Erwin

National American Education Week, a week-long campaign that is focused on the importance of education and a practice-makes-perfect motto, allowed student-athletes to be guest speakers in various Lincoln-area Middle Schools. Student-athletes were able to share their personal experiences of education, achievements and were able to answer many questions. Attending six schools in five days, the student-athletes had a great opportunity to be influential role models to aspiring students and give positive messages about being involved with school activities. This annual event provides a chance for student-athletes to get involved and to give back to their community.

This year, student-athletes from the sports of Swimming and Diving, Baseball, Football, Volleyball, Women's Basketball, Cross Country, Men's Gymnastics, Men's Tennis, Track and Field, Wrestling and Softball attended Culler Middle School, Pound Middle School, Lefler Middle School and Scott Middle School. The Huskers encouraged the middle school students to continue to working hard at their school work by doing their homework. "Practice makes perfect. We have to practice every day to prepare for our competitions so that we will be successful. You need to practice every day by doing your homework so you are prepared for your test and projects," stated Track and Field student-athlete Karyn LaCour.

A teacher from Pound Middle School asked Marcus Mendoza to elaborate on the football team's preparation for their games. Marcus reviewed what his weekly schedule was like, "not only do we have morning workouts plus practice; we have daily meetings to study our playbook that we get for each game." He referenced the size of his playbook and how detailed it can be. "If we don't study our playbook on our own, we will not know what is going on and be lost on the field; just like if you don't do your homework, you won't know what to do on tests."

American Education Week provides a great opportunity for students within Lincoln Public Schools to interact with their Husker student-athlete role models. They get a personal account of what it takes to be a student-athlete as well as hear beneficial messages on the importance of education. This experience impacts the attitudes of middle school students and motivates them to continue to work hard to achieve academic success.

American Education Week Photo Gallery

Culler Middle School speakers:

Mariah Hutchinson- Swimming and Diving

Kurt Farmer- Baseball

Anthony Blue- Football

Cody Green- Football

Kori Cooper- Volleyball

Scott Middle School speakers:

Jessica Yanz- Volleyball

Katie White- Cross Country

Yvonne Turner- Women's Basketball

Brian Parr- Cross Country

Behavioral Skills speakers:

Blake Lawrence- Football

Ricky Thenarse- Football

Josh Rusler- Men's Gymnastics

Blaine Hoppenrath- Swimming and Diving

Brent Qvale- Football

Lefler Middle School speakers:

Francois Van Impe- Men's Tennis

Jordan Burroughs- Wrestling

Kellen McClure- Men's Track and Field

Kaitlin Burke- Women's Basketball

Meaghan Wheatley- Women's Track and Field

Aaron Brandt- Men's Track and Field

Tom Lemke- Baseball

John Mulgrue- Baseball

Victoria Zimmerman- Women's Track and Field

Pound Middle School speakers:

Kelsey Griffin- Women's Basketball

Patric Tolentino- Baseball

Wes Cammack- Football

Lorena Menghia- Women's Track and Field

Nate Polacek- Men's Track and Field

Karyn LaCour- Women's Track and Field

Alex Hupp- Softball

Marcus Mendoza- Football