Jamey Smart ’14 was featured on CSN Bay Area’s Cal Hi Sports for his nomination for the Student Volunteer Award.  The Volunteer Award, sponsored by Lexus of Stevens Creek, recognizes student athletes who champion the spirit of volunteerism.  Jamey was nominated for his international experiences focused around baseball.  Between a service trip to El Salvador building houses and  teaching a baseball clinic in Tijuana, Mexico, Jamey has repeatedly paired his baseball enthusiasm and skill with service to others.

Service Abroad

Athenian student Jamey Smart ’14 went on the El Salvador interim trip last spring.  He was so inspired by their work in a village there that he wanted to return with baseball equipment for the children.  He contacted Chris Burman, the Athenian teacher who organized the trip and had worked in the village as a Peace Corps volunteer, to see if this might be possible.  A trip to El Salvador was more than Chris felt was doable, but he did have contacts in Tijuana and was willing to take Jamie there.  Jamey recruited a friend to help and the two of them, plus Chris and his young son, headed down to Tijuana for four days this summer.  Jamey and his friend led three clinicas de beisbol for young people in Tijuana.  As part of the clinics, Jamey distributed a large assortment of donated baseball prizes he had collected including bats, gloves, helmets, catchers gear, hats, balls, and equipment bags.  Jamey showed initiative and follow-through in organizing this project, which was a big success.   Congratulations to Jamey and Chris for their outstanding work. — Mark Friedman, Director of Community Service

Chris put together this video of their trip: