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Sylvester Scholarship Program
Background provided by our CEO, Maylene Jackson
When I was growing up in Southern California, I loved sports,
mostly baseball & football, and played outside everyday. In
the 5th grade I joined my first organized team, a softball
team named “Swaner’s Lumberjills”. My mom worked hard and long
hours and was unable to drive me around to practices & games
so my coach, Coach Sylvester, took me under his wing and made
sure I always had a ride. At the time I thought it was because
I was such a great player, that he "needed" me on his team
(oh, the arrogance of youth!), but I soon realized that he was
just a great guy and made sure we, and I am sure many others,
always received what they needed whether it was equipment,
uniforms, his time or, a ride. I will never forget the generosity
he and his wonderful family gave. There is no doubt in my mind
that because of mentors like Coach Sylvester
I would not have had most of the great experiences I
had playing sports. And without sports, where would most kids be?
Surely they would find other things to do with their free time.
A scary thought, huh? So this is my way of giving back. KIT has
always made sure that we had a reserve to give kids in need a
chance at participating in a KIT event. Due to wonderful support
from sponsors, we have since expanded opportunities and I decided
to name this scholarship program after one of my greatest mentors.
Thanks Coach.
All the following events and programs are available to our
Sylvester Scholarship Recipients at free or reduced rates.
Please contact us for more information
or to apply to be a recipient. Let us know if you are able to help
the program with either your time or a donation.
Learn to Swim
KIT never had a problem using up the scholarships to most of
our events but we always noticed that the triathlons were an
event that usually had a number of scholarships left unused.
I asked around and discovered that most financially
disadvantaged kids did not know how to swim (helloooo... it
costs money to enter a pool... something this beach-girl
did not consider!) and thus, could not participate in our
triathlons. Hopefully this program will change that. It’s a
simple concept - teach kids who do not know how to swim, to swim.
We partner with local swim clubs to provide lessons for those who
cannot afford them.
Training Clinics
It’s not KIT’s mission to create elite athletes so our training
sessions are geared to motivate kids to swim, bike and run well
enough to create a healthy lifestyle. Some kids are further
motivated when they compete so we offer basic training to teach
skills to enhance their efforts on race day.
Stemming from these clinics we have created an outreach program
for financially disadvantaged kids. It's amazing how other aspects
in a kid's life such as education, leadership and spirituality,
can be improved simply by playing.
What’s in Your Lunchbox?!?
We teach the basics for proper nutrition and fitness for the
family and make sure affordable choices are highlighted.
KIT Multi-sport & Run Races
We all need a bit of motivation once in a while and competitions
can provide that for many kids. Our events are designed to be fun
but can be a testing arena to measure your efforts. |
Showing their support for our program,
Duke Football quarterbacks, Marcus Jones
and Zack Asack pose with JT at the Da-KIT-alon. |
