Junior Achievement of the Upper Midwest


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U.S. Women's Hockey Teaches Junior Achievement

BLAINE, Minn. - Nine members of the 2010 U.S. Olympic Women's Ice Hockey Team visited University Avenue Elementary in Blaine, Minn., on Jan. 21as part of the Junior Achievement program. In addition, the players will be joined forces with the U.S. Olympic Committee's Team for Tomorrow humanitarian relief fund to donate digital cameras to the school, and will be contributing laptops on behalf of USA Hockey.

The nine players include 2006 Olympian Caitlin Cahow (Branford, Conn.), who is one of 13 Athlete Ambassadors for Team for Tomorrow, as well as three-time Olympian Angela Ruggiero, Meghan Duggan (Danvers, Mass.), Erika Lawler (Fitchburg, Mass.), Brianne McLaughlin (Sheffield Village, Ohio), Molly Schaus (Natick, Mass.), Kelli Stack (Brooklyn Heights, Ohio), Karen Thatcher (Blaine, Wash.) and Kerry Weiland (Palmer, Alaska).

"Both Team for Tomorrow and Junior Achievement are extraordinary programs that are capable of changing lives," said Cahow. "We're extremely grateful that we are able contribute in such a meaningful way while giving something back to this especially supportive local community."

The athletes taught a Junior Achievement unit to four first grade classes as part of the 'JA in a Day' program. The focus of the lesson was wants versus needs. JA Worldwide is the world's largest organization dedicated to educating students about workforce readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literary through experiential, hands-on program.

JA's unique approach allows volunteers from the community to deliver the curriculum while sharing their experiences with students. The classroom volunteers transform the key concepts of JA's lessons into a message that inspires and empowers students to believe in themselves, showing them they can make a difference in the world.

In addition to the JA program, members of Team USA acted on behalf of Team for Tomorrow, which was launched by America's Olympic and Paralympic athletes and the USOC in 2008. The humanitarian relief effort allows U.S. athletes to assist and support people around the world who are in need. It takes place in the form of donations, volunteerism, disaster recovery support, advocacy and other contributions to communities.

During this visit, the athletes shared their journeys of determination and commitment to reaching their goal - the 2010 Olympic Winter Games - while encouraging children to reach for their dreams. The athletes donated 15 Team for Tomorrow digital cameras to the elementary school. Further, the school will receive 25 laptop computers.

"The Olympic athletes are spectacular role models for our students," said Tami VanOverbeke, principal at University Avenue Elementary. "They show our students that when you believe in yourself, work together, and work extremely hard, you can achieve amazing things. At University Avenue, the students will use the Team for Tomorrow donated items to learn some of the 21st century skills necessary to be successful in a global society. We truly appreciate these generous gifts."

The visit marks the seventh of the season for Team for Tomorrow by various winter-sport athletes and teams. As part of the effort, after the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter games conclude, athletes will donate service hours to Habitat for Humanity affiliates in their local communities.

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