University Southern California Trojans
Girls PLAY for the Win
April 19, 2016 | Trojan Outreach
Hundreds of Los Angeles middle school girls lined up the steps of Heritage Hall two weekends in a row, in anticipation of spending a day with the inspirational Women of Troy.
The April 9 event marked the conclusion of the Girls PLAY program's third season, with another unforgettable day full of mentorship, education and sport.
Trojan Outreach launched the initiative in an effort to empower young girls at local middle schools through positive messages from USC female student-athletes. With events throughout the year, each session brings 400 students to campus, where they discuss topics of health, body image and social pressure, take tours of campus, and end the day in the stands, cheering on the Women of Troy during a game.
The program also provides student-athletes with the unique opportunity of serving as strong, goal-driven female mentors by encouraging self-esteem, healthy choices and college expectations in local youth.
On April 9, women's volleyball senior Elise Ruddins and junior Jordan Dunn spent the day leading discussions about the importance of balancing fitness with healthy food choices during the nutrition lesson of the day.
"If you work really hard, believe in yourself and make healthy choices, all of you can accomplish your goals," Ruddins said in response to a young girl asking how they too could go to college and be part of a team.
In addition to the nutrition lesson, female student-athlete volunteers from USC basketball, volleyball and soccer teams also spent their Saturday leading fitness activities, showing the girls around campus and joining them for an educational health presentation.
The group of students from the final two April sessions both boarded their buses while sporting celebratory smiles as they watched the USC lacrosse team defeat San Diego State in a landslide 20-6 victory on April 2, and witnessed women's water polo extend their undefeated season with an 8-5 win against crosstown rival UCLA.
With a couple wins and a boost of motivation, the young students and USC athletes helped conclude another successful Girls PLAY season filled with female empowerment.
