Jayhawks Explain Why “Character Counts”

LAWRENCE, Kan. – Kansas volleyball assistant coach Laura “Bird” Kuhn and Jayhawk seniors Jaime Mathieu, Erin McNorton and Kara Wehrs took time away from their own campus to visit a slightly smaller Lawrence school Wednesday afternoon.
 
The volleyball crew was invited to speak at Quail Run Elementary during the school’s “Character Counts” Positive Behavior Assembly. A great motivator, the assembly is a time for the school to gather and recognize students who have been displaying positive behavior. At each assembly, a different character trait is focused on and discussed by individuals from the community. Wednesday’s topic was self-control.
 
“We absolutely love stuff like this,” Kuhn said. “It’s humbling for our girls to know that there are little ones out there that look up to them. I think they get even more out of it than the kids do. The kids were awesome – and they sang us the KU fight song. We had so much fun.”
 
Prior to their question and answer session, the volleyballers watched and cheered for performances by the fourth and fifth graders before taking the stage themselves. “Bird”, Mathieu, McNorton and Wehrs took turns answering questions on the importance of self-control, not just in sports, but for everyday life. Answers ranged from how to deal with bullies, how it feels when the other team wins and what to do when a teammate makes a mistake.
 
“We just encourage each other and pick each other up,” Wehrs told the students. “It’s so important to remember that we’re all human and we’re all going to make mistakes, but your teammates have to know that you believe in them and will help them to do better.”
 
Wise words to live by no matter the age.

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