Feature: Athletics Celebrates 29th Annual Vartan Gregorian School Kickoff
10/25/2019 3:06:00 PM | General
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Brown athletics celebrated its 29th annual Vartan Gregorian Elementary School Kickoff as student-athletes and coaches from the Bears' 38 varsity programs visited the Providence elementary school on Thursday, Oct. 17.
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"We have a partnership with Vartan Gregorian School that is a great experience for all the teams to get to know these kids and give back to the community," men's ice hockey senior Jack Gessert said. "It's important to have that community presence. Hopefully we can teach them something that can help them in their lives, and for us, we learn a bit about ourselves as well."
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In 1991, Brown University adopted Vartan Gregorian Elementary School at Fox Point and began a program which has grown and developed into what it is today – a mutually beneficial partnership that has received much recognition both inside Brown and within the community.
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"We're here to see the kids and introduce them to the athletes at Brown," women's basketball freshman Lexi Love said. "I think it's really important because I remember when I was younger I looked up to college athletes so it's great for them to see college athletes in person."
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The kickoff event begins with a school-wide assembly in the gymnasium where each class performs its cheer for its respective team. From there, Brown student-athletes and Vartan students break off into their classrooms. In honor of the day, Vartan students wear t-shirts which read 'Smart as a Fox, Strong as a Bear.'
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"It's a great experience coming down to Vartan," football junior Michael McGovern said. "We got to meet a bunch of the kids today, and they did all their cheers for us. It's great getting to know the kids, and I'm looking forward to hanging out with them this year. As much as they are learning from us, we are learning from them. It's a great experience for both of us."
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Each classroom at the Vartan Gregorian Elementary School at Fox Point has a designated team who visits the classroom and volunteers their time to help the students. The program works because student-athletes are willing to devote time to it and treat it as the special relationship that it is.
ÂGallery: (10/17/2019) Vartan Kickoff Celebration 2019
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"We have a partnership with Vartan Gregorian School that is a great experience for all the teams to get to know these kids and give back to the community," men's ice hockey senior Jack Gessert said. "It's important to have that community presence. Hopefully we can teach them something that can help them in their lives, and for us, we learn a bit about ourselves as well."
Â
In 1991, Brown University adopted Vartan Gregorian Elementary School at Fox Point and began a program which has grown and developed into what it is today – a mutually beneficial partnership that has received much recognition both inside Brown and within the community.
Â
"We're here to see the kids and introduce them to the athletes at Brown," women's basketball freshman Lexi Love said. "I think it's really important because I remember when I was younger I looked up to college athletes so it's great for them to see college athletes in person."
Â
The kickoff event begins with a school-wide assembly in the gymnasium where each class performs its cheer for its respective team. From there, Brown student-athletes and Vartan students break off into their classrooms. In honor of the day, Vartan students wear t-shirts which read 'Smart as a Fox, Strong as a Bear.'
Â
"It's a great experience coming down to Vartan," football junior Michael McGovern said. "We got to meet a bunch of the kids today, and they did all their cheers for us. It's great getting to know the kids, and I'm looking forward to hanging out with them this year. As much as they are learning from us, we are learning from them. It's a great experience for both of us."
Â
Each classroom at the Vartan Gregorian Elementary School at Fox Point has a designated team who visits the classroom and volunteers their time to help the students. The program works because student-athletes are willing to devote time to it and treat it as the special relationship that it is.
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