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Oak Ridge girls track team prepares for season by serving the community

By: Shelby Olive
| Published 12/23/2015

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SHENANDOAH, Texas — Competitive sports kick off their seasons after months of strength and conditioning workouts and countless hours of practice. Oak Ridge’s girls track team, however, pushes their athletes together by emphasizing the importance of community service.

Head Coach Kristina Dube said her team participates in service projects throughout the entire year, from taking charge of Thanksgiving Drives to hosting fun runs for kids and Special Olympics. She said it lays the very foundation of what she wants her team to stand for.

“I feel it’s a great team builder and a good way to bring the kids together, and before going into a sport, it’s nice to have that foundation of friendship, foundation of trust, loyalty and that kind of stuff,” Dube said. “Things like this kind of help with that.”

The track team most recently helped wrap Christmas gifts at the Conroe ISD police station for local underprivileged youth. Senior track runner, Casidy Nuñez said participating in events like this makes the team work together, especially because there were so many gifts to wrap. She said this was a way for them to serve the school district’s officers who already have a lot on their plates.

“It helps me know that I can give back to the community, and it’s good to get away from the normal life and focus on someone else’s life,” Nuñez said. “I think I’m happy when I’m serving someone else to make their life happier.”

Understanding the value of community service is something that Dube believes is not commonly instilled in the character of today’s youth, and for her team to be active participants in giving back not only brings unity to the group, but also helps them grow as athletes.

“I think that’s one of those elements that the TV doesn’t teach, and in society nowadays youngsters grow up really fast,” Dube said. “Having each other develop community service character helps them to be better athletes, so this can help supplement some of that support or just that training and educating they’re not getting.”

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