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With the start of a new year comes the chance to start from scratch, a chance to set new goals and a chance to surpass what was previously achieved. This year, UA student-athletes are ready to start off with a bang. As a part of a new community service project, student-athletes have made a variety of pledges that aim to improve the community at large. At the close of the 2008-2009 school year, UA student-athletes representing a variety of teams got together to combine their "pledges" into one powerful message. More than 40 student-athletes filmed a variety of pledges aiming to make the world a better place. This project also emphasized the fact that even the smallest of actions, make the biggest of differences. Student-athletes recognized that as an individual, they could perform small acts to help make a greater impact on the world around them. Three different videos were created to spread this message and to challenge others to make pledges of their own. Videos can be seen at various athletics events throughout the year and can be found at www.arizonawildcats.com With an increasing societal concern for environmentally sound practices and "green" lifestyles, many student-athlete pledges ran parallel with this trend. UA Softball player, Mandy Monge, pledged to turn off the lights and to use less electricity while Volleyball player Paige Weber pledged to use less bottled water. Student-athletes had fun coming up with creative pledges and out-of-the-ordinary solutions for solving overarching problems. Even though some of the pledges had humorous undertones, this did not diminish the seriousness what the student-athletes were trying to accomplish. Many student-athletes pledged to "amp" up their community service efforts. As role models in the community, they realize that they have a unique opportunity to inspire today's youth to achieve things they might not have originally thought possible. UA Football player, Lolomana Mikaele, pledged to inspire kids to go college, while Women's Tennis player, Ariane Masschelein, pledged to talk to kids about the importance sports can play in their lives. UA student-athletes already volunteer much of their time reading at local schools, volunteering at charity events and visiting sick children in the hospital but are pledging to do even more. For some UA student-athletes, even though their days playing collegiate sports may have ended, they realize that their potential to make a difference has not. UA Swimmer, Lindsey Kelly, has completed her eligibility but plans on following through on her pledge to inspire kids to pursue higher education. As an Education major, Kelly will go on to help kids realize their goals. Coaches also had their share of pledges to make. Head Softball coach, Mike Candrea, pledged to have his team continue to support adopt-a-family programs during the holidays; a habit the team has been in for several years. Many teams and groups of student-athletes rallied together to stand behind a cause. A group of 4 student-athletes from various teams, all Physical Education majors, pledged to lead the fight against youth obesity. Their goal is to educate youth about nutrition and ways of staying active in hopes that fewer children will have to suffer from the side effects of obesity. UA Soccer player, Sam Drees, said that she intends on following up on this pledge by making kids more aware of physical fitness and giving them the tools to succeed. Drees says that once she has her own PE class, she wants kids to be aware of healthier food options both at home and at school and help them by providing fun and healthy recipes that they can create themselves. Some of the pledges were specific and some more philosophical, but all of them, had one thing in common: action. Student-athletes are stepping up to act on their pledges. As the year progresses, student-athletes will document their process and expand on their pledges. At the beginning of every school year, many of the UA's 19 teams create goals regarding how they want to give back to the community. Making these pledges and keeping them in mind throughout the school year gives these student-athletes one more tool to make good on their promises. It's a new school year with a new start, so what do you pledge to do to help the community?
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