Jan. 12, 2011
WASHINGTON - With games scheduled during winter break, the Georgetown University women's basketball players spent much of their vacation on campus. Time to relax and spend time with friends was ample, but the squad chose to spend one day taking time to speak with sixth, seventh and eighth-grade girls at the Takoma Education Center.
The education center was badly damaged on December 22, 2010 after a fire began on the roof and eventually caused severe damage to the entire structure. With just days over break to find a new site, educators scrambled and eventually moved the entire school to the Meyer Building in Northwest Washington, D.C.
Students returned from break bussing to a new location in an older building that was prepared in a little over a week.
The women's basketball players made the short trek to the Meyer Building last Thursday to speak to the sixth, seventh and eighth-grade girls on topics ranging from education, career goals and even online safety.
After a short introduction, senior Monica McNutt (Suitland, Md./Academy of the Holy Cross) began the program speaking on appearance.
"It's important to walk into a room with confidence, with your shoulders back and your head held high," said McNutt. "When I meet someone, I try to make an impression so they'll remember me in the future."
Students and teachers were able to ask questions with a number of the educators speaking on internet safety. Students of all ages are now active on the internet and members of the team agreed that online safety and good judgement are keys in keeping oneself safe online.
"You need to remember that anything you put on the internet can come back to haunt you, it's not private," said McNutt.
As team members go through their collegiate careers, the 13 student-athletes will soon be heading out into the workforce. They stressed the importance of education and making contacts.
"It's really true that it's not just what you know, it's also who you know," said junior Alexa Roche (Bellmore, N.Y./St. Michael's Academy). "I try to volunteer when I can and meet professors knowing they'll help me get a job one day."
Roche stressed the importance of education and continually building their goals.
Following the talk, the players split the girls into groups to come up with a positive message for other girls their age. Each group designed a poster and a presentation on staying in school and career goals.
After lunch, each group presented their poster which included dancing and sharing of goals. One of the groups put together a presentation to include the hip-hop song "The Dougie" and its tagline "Teach me how to study, you ain't messin' with my money."
Before the players left the Meyer Building for their own practice that afternoon, McNutt presented the girls with school supplies to replace some of those lost in the fire. Each girl also received a poster and a free ticket to the Marquette/Georgetown game the following Saturday.
A number of girls attended the game and were recognized during the second half. They were also excited to see their posters displayed prominently in the arena for the fans to see.
The hours spent at the Meyer Building were few in the grand scheme of the player's winter break, but for the students it meant so much to see 13 successful young women achieving their goals and inspiring future Hoyas throughout the District.
