I’ve always been told that volunteering in your community is important and being an athlete helps me do that in a fun way. The Louisiana Pole Vault Compound is a pole vault facility located in Tickfaw and run by former Olympian, Erica Bartolina-Fraley. While Erica has never been my coach, I have developed a mentor/student relationship with her over the years - so when I chose Southeastern as my school I was happy to have her so near. Due to the increased participation at LPVC, Erica reached out to me along with my teammates for help with her larger groups. I spend my Wednesdays volunteering at her facility so that the athletes can have more one-on-one attention. My favorite time at LPVC is when Erica holds weekend camps. It’s camps similar to these that got me started in the sport. Pole vaulting is a huge part of my life that opened so many opportunities for me so it is rewarding to help other young, aspiring athletes and it’s at these long weekends where you really get to bond with the athletes. Below is a picture of us at her most recent camp in November. 

      I consider myself very lucky to be able to work so closely with such prestigious and knowledgeable athletes and am grateful to play a small part in such a great club.