Chandler and Magee Interact With Students
9/4/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
TUSCALOOSA, Ala ?? As a part of the Crimson Tide women’s basketball team’s efforts to reach out to Tuscaloosa residents, a pair of student-athletes from the team spent an afternoon at Westwood Elementary school Friday afternoon.
Sophomores Dedrea Magee and Talisha Chandler made up the duo that attended the event. Both of the Tide players were responsible for developing a speech to be delivered to their audience of elementary students. Chandler spoke on making and choosing good friends, while Magee touched on the importance of working hard in school and earning good grades.
“I had a lot of fun with my speech,” Chandler said. “I just tried to tell the students that they need to continue to try to make and choose good friends. I wanted them to think about hanging out with people who they don’t have to impress, who like them for who they are. I think that’s an important part of growing up and it was something I enjoyed talking about.”
Magee and Chandler spent nearly two hours at Westwood, interacting with approximately 350 children and spent the better part of an hour with their audience. In addition to their speeches, the two players presented the principal with a plaque from the Alabama women’s basketball program featuring Tide head coach Stephany Smith.
“I just enjoyed being around the children and seeing them smile,” Chandler said. “I felt like for the few moments I was with them, I was able to touch their lives for just a few minutes and make a difference for them. That was the best part of it for me. It was just a great day all-around.”
The Crimson Tide opens its season with an exhibition contest on Oct. 31 in Coleman Coliseum.
