BATON ROUGE – LSU gymnast Shelby Prunty, cross country runner Michelle Mobley, and pole vaulter Brianne Bergeron were joined by former football player Demetrius Byrd as the quartet participated in National Walk to School programs Wednesday at Buchanan and Polk Elementary Schools.
The event was in conjunction with the LSU Kinesiology Department and the National Center for Safe Routes to School to provide an educational program to students. They provided pedometers to all students and teachers for a friendly school competition.
Winners were announced for the Top 2 classes that walked the most steps, the top teacher, and the Top 2 most active students. The teachers received helmets, while the students received a bike of their choice handed out by Byrd. All students were given water bottles, ponchos and a snack at the program.
“I was drawn to this opportunity today because of the kids,” Byrd said. “Growing up, I didn’t have a role model come to my school, and I wanted to provide that to these kids. The best part was seeing the kids smile and get excited about their prizes.”
Afterwards, the athletes interacted with the kids on the playground.
“My favorite part of this day was seeing the smiles on the kid’s faces and receiving their hugs,” Bergeron said. “Knowing that I helped make someone’s day that much better means the world to me.”
LSU athletics launched its new community service initiative, the Geaux Givers, to brand all community service efforts from the Shaquille O’Neal CHAMPS/Life Skills unit in September 2010.
During the 2009-10 academic year, LSU athletics completed an impressive 2,648.5 hours of community service. The 2,648.5 hours are the equivalent of 110 days of community service.