Mo'ne Davis, who became the first girl to throw a shutout in the Little League World Series in August, was recently announced as the new Kid Ambassador for Frisco-based nonprofit, Play Like A Girl! (AP file photo)
The weather was perfect, the food delectably placed among a backdrop of playful pink decor as the feeling of childhood nostalgia filled the room on Oct. 24 at Play Like A Girl!’s 10th Anniversary Sweet Success Awards Luncheon.
I sat among a variety of philanthropic women from all over the Metroplex that sincerely wanted to support the agency’s efforts. Play Like A Girl! is a Frisco-based nonprofit agency whose mission is to inspire girls everywhere to live a happier, healthier and more active lifestyle by promoting physical activity as a path to health and success.
The event highlighted the nonprofit’s mission of educating young girls about the importance of healthy living while also providing information on donations, volunteerism, social campaigns and mentoring. By the end of the luncheon, everyone’s hearts were moved through the stories of those that have been impacted by the nonprofit.
The luncheon highlighted two programs offered by the agency to area students:
The Eat. Move. Play! Program which provides fun and healthy education including tennis for girls in grades Kindergarten through fifth and;
The Sugar & Spice Mentoring Program which builds self-esteem and improves eating behavior and physical activity for girls in grades sixth through 12.
The event was held at the Stonebriar Country Club in Frisco. It also promoted the social media campaign #WhenIWas10, which encouraged all to think back to the physical activities they enjoyed in their youth.
The theme of maintaining a healthy lifestyle and setting the example for the next generation of young girls flowed seamlessly throughout the program and was even apparent in the centerpieces, a bouquet of fresh fruits and vegetables.(Photo courtesy of Play Like a Girl! )
The theme of maintaining a healthy lifestyle and setting the example for the next generation of young girls flowed seamlessly throughout the program and was even apparent in the centerpieces, which featured a bouquet of fresh fruits and vegetables.
To top the day off awards were presented to three honorees for their excellence in academics, sports and volunteerism:
Traci Ramsey, a professor of physical education at Collin College and former Play Like A Girl leadership coach, was named the 2014 Volunteer of the Year;
MaKayla Woods, a honor roll student and former Eat. Move. Play! tennis participant received the 2014 Award for Excellence in Academics and Sports; and
Mo’ne Davis, although not in attendance, was announced as the new Kid Ambassador for Play Like A Girl! She also received the inaugural Founder’s Award, which is named in honor of the agency’s founder and executive director Dr. Kimberly Clay and established to recognize someone who has exemplified the nonprofit’s mission to improve girls’ health and well-being.
Honoree Mo'ne Davis and CEO of Play Like a Girl!, Dr. Kimberly Clay. (Photo courtesy of Play Like a Girl!)
Mo’ne is the 13-year-old pitching phenom that became the first Little Leaguer on the cover of Sports Illustrated magazine for her achievement of being the first girl to throw a shutout in the Little League World Series. Mo’ne was also honored with a scholarship for her future education from the nonprofit.
As tears of joy filled the room from all the speeches of gratitude and purpose, Clay encouraged all in attendance, “to get behind something that’s greater than yourself.”
As contributing members of Frisco seeking to make a difference, we should all strive to discover our passion.
For information on how to get involved with Play it Like A Girl!, visit iplag.org.
Shaylon Scott is a volunteer engagement manager for the Volunteer Center of North Texas and has been a Frisco resident since 2010.