In December, participants in the Play It Smart program took a moment away from their studies to serve their community abroad. The student-athletes from the Pirates football team wrote letters to men and women serving in a cavalry platoon in Iraq. The letters expressed encouragement and extended holiday greetings as well as reported a little about the authors’ lives in Brooklyn Park, MN. The student-athletes also used their creative talent to design a poster, which all participants signed. The letters, along with the poster, candy, and other snacks, were appreciated by the members of the platoon, whose leader emailed to say how grateful they were to be thought of during the holiday season and how much they enjoyed reading the letters. 
While Play It Smart’s aim is to increase academic excellence, the program also exists to create community service opportunities for participants. The next service project will happen in March and is open to any interested person. See Play It Smart academic coach, Carlee Tressel, in Room 123 for more details.