Last Saturday, Pomona-Pitzer Athletics and Pomona Partners sponsored the Second Annual National Girls and Women in Sports Day event at Pomona College. The 30 participants, mostly grades 7-9, were part of Pomona Partners, a Pomona College community outreach program, servicing two schools in the Pomona Unified School District. National Girls and Women in Sports Day is nationally recognized and began in 1987 as a day to remember Olympic Volleyball player, Flo Hyman, to promote the positive influence of sports participation, and to support the continuing struggle for equality and access for females in sports.

The day’s events began with an inspirational talk given by health educator at HEO and assistant cross-country coach Carla Jackson about all that sports can offer you physically, mentally, and socially. Then, after a group warm-up and stretch, the girls participated in volleyball, tennis, and basketball clinics led by Pomona-Pitzer women athletes. After the clinics, the whole group joined together at the track for long jump and relay. All together, about 36 people volunteered to plan, organize and run Saturday’s event, which was co-chaired by Lisa Beckett ’02 and Torrey Shelton ’02. The day ended with lunch and discussion, and a question and answer panel with 4 Pomona-Pitzer women athletes.

When asked about the day, eighth-grader Cindy replied, "I liked the people who showed us how to play sports, they were nice. I liked the games and the speeches. I learned that sports give you confidence and help you relax. Sports are fun and energetic." Another student, Anita, answered, "It was fun today. I learned to like the sports we played. I liked playing because I was full of energy."

The event was very successful, and perhaps most successful because of the positive interaction that occurred between Pomona and Pitzer college students and the junior high girls from Pomona. It was successful in that it exposed the girls to new things and new ideas. Pomona College was a safe and supportive environment for the often not-so-confident junior high school girls to try sports that many of them never had.

Mr. Carillo, a Fremont Middle School Teacher who attended the event, said, "I thought it was a positive experience for the kids. I liked how they pointed out all the positive impacts of sports. I liked the way the orange shirts [worn by Pomona-Pitzer athletes] interacted with our kids. They were very supportive."

Ashley Eastman ’01, one of the Pomona-Pitzer athletes who helped at the event, commented that "watching [the girls] have a great time participating in all of the sports made me appreciate what sports can do for girls and women." Kate Bollinger ’01, also a student-athlete, added, "It was good to hear all the girls cheering for each other, they had a lot of sportsmanship and they had a lot of fun."