Believe to Acheive

Gryphon Student-Athletes spend time at local schools, inspiring all kids to be healthy, smart, and bold.

Healthy emotional and social development in early years lay the foundation for mental health and resilience throughout life. An estimated 1.2 million children and youth in Canada are affected by mental illness. Our youth need role models and leaders in our community to look up to, and the Gryphons have your back.

Gryphon student-athletes have been setting an excellent example for Guelph’s youth through the Believe to Achieve Community Outreach Program sponsored by McDonald’s. The goal of the program, which was created in 2005 but recently was rejuvenated after a hiatus, is for Gryphons to be visible leaders in the community and become agents of positive social change. As a result, Gryphon athletes have been going into local schools and providing presentations to the youth in the school.

These annual school visits aren’t just valuable for the kids – but the athletes are benefitting, as well.

Participating in Believe to Achieve has provided me an opportunity to learn from others, and share my passionsays Kaitlin

women’s hockey team. “I learned about the difficulties that kids are facing today and how a positive voice and role model, such as the Believe to Achieve ambassadors, can have a positive impact on these students’ lives.”

Believe to Achieve is structured so that Gryphon athletes grow into their roles as ambassadors, stressing the importance of the “4 Quarters,” health, academics, teamwork, and community. The Athletes team up to deliver presentations that cover the four quarters, while providing the overarching message that “success is a winding road” which was the theme of this past year’s Believe to Achieve program. Student-athletes, Victoria Di Caro (lacrosse), Charlotte Ward (cross country), Brodie Schmidt (rugby), Kaitlin Lowy (hockey), Connor Black (cross country), and Valerie Lamenta (hockey) were this year’s program participants.

Each presentation provided inspiration to the young students in the audience, who were awed by the decorated Gryphons. The athletes presentations resonated with the young people across the city.

“Our Gryphon athletes really understand that their commitment to the University of Guelph and this city isn’t limited to what they do on the field of play,” said Director of Athletics, Scott McRoberts. “They have embraced the opportunity to have an impact on this community and Believe to Achieve is a great example of how that is possible. The thoughtful presentations our Gryphons have put together really allow them to connect with these kids. We want Believe to Achieve to be a national model for other universities to follow.”

The bond formed between the Gryphon athletes and the local school students throughout Guelph is lasting.

Hopefully, through sharing my story, I was able to inspire at least one student to follow their passion, whatever that may be, and never let setbacks stop them from reaching their goals, says Lamenta. “Because success is a winding road.”