‘Education Day’ Shows Kids That College Is Cool

More than 500 students in Kindergarten through eighth grade attended the first Kids on Campus Education Day at Duquesne on Tuesday, Dec. 6.

As part of the day, which was planned by the Department of Athletics and the School of Education, children from elementary and middle schools throughout western Pennsylvania participated in physical education and learning activities organized by Duquesne students and attended a women’s basketball game. The Dukes edged Miami of Ohio 64-63.

Amelia Cimerola, a junior studying entrepreneurship, who is part of the Duquesne athletics’ volunteer “Fan Patrol,” helped kids learn about the history of basketball and draw a diagram of the different positions on the court.

“I think this is a nice way to introduce the concept of college to younger students and connect with them on their level,” Cimerola said. “Then, when they get a little older, maybe they will remember the experience and see going to college as an option.”

Many of the children came from urban schools in Pittsburgh, and some said they had never been on a college campus before.

Malik Frazier, 12, a sixth grader at Sunnyside Elementary in Stanton Heights, had fun shooting hoops with his classmates and others that got their faces painted, bounced in the moon house, and colored signs and posters for the game.

“I want to go to college and be a basketball player when I grow up,” Frazier said smiling.

Brandon Hughes, 11, a fifth grader at Barrett Elementary in Homestead, said his big brother is a Duquesne student and that he was excited to get to see him at the event. Hughes would like to be a hockey player like Sidney Crosby when he grows up.

Karen Reinhart, a chaperone from St. Sylvester School in Brentwood, said that overall the day was a great way to introduce kids to a university campus. Corissa Saitta, a fifth grader at St. Sylvester, sang the National Anthem before the game.

“We came to show our support for her,” Reinhart said.