Olympic athletes brought their inspirational messages to students in Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) this month. Professional boxers Keyshawn Davis and Troy Isley visited Patrick Henry K-8 School (Patrick Henry) on May 4, 2022, talking with students in grades six and seven about motivation, perseverance and their personal reflections. Students had the opportunity to ask the athletes of Team USA about their own experiences in school and how they got to where they are today. The boxers’ advice for the students: “be smart” and “make good choices.” Davis, whose sister works at Patrick Henry, and Isley, who hails from Alexandria, were also in the area to visit the White House.
On May 6, 2022, professional rugby player Abby Gustaitis, who hails from the DMV area, held a “meet and greet” with Alexandria City High School (ACHS) girls and boys rugby team members at the Chinquapin Park Recreation Center. Gustaitis, joined by Premier Rugby Sevens, gave students the rundown on playing in the 2020 Summer Olympics and ran a quick training session. ACHS is the only school in the Northern Virginia and D.C. area to field an all-girls rugby team that plays regional club teams in order to compete.
“You’ll always come against obstacles,” Gustaitis told the ACHS students. “It’s not the end of the road. You can persevere. Never take no for an answer. You can create your path.”