Sept. 27, 2012
Norfolk, VA - Old Dominion University's swimming and diving teams volunteered at the Fall Festival for W.T. Cooke Elementary School in Virginia Beach, Va. on September 21, 2012.
This was the third straight year the ODU swim/dive team volunteered at the event. Both teams took part in numerous activities with the kids including pony rides, a petting zoo, inflatable games, and spray painting the kids' heads. It is not an everyday occurrence when student-athletes can mentor and talk to elementary students, so the Monarchs tried to take full advantage of their opportunity.
Senior swimmer Laura Cempel helped out with the tattoo booth and said, "I was very grateful for this opportunity and told the kids to work hard in school and to continue to do what they love."
Cempel added, "It was truly a great experience."
Head coach Carol Withus stated, "This event is a great opportunity to give back to the community. It benefits our athletes as much as it does those little kids. We look forward to helping out with this event again next year!"