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 Salomon skater Eddy Matzger gave a Skates in Schools presentation and passed out autograph cards to over 500 students at both campuses of the Claire Matzger Lilienthal Elementary School, March 19, 2002, in San Francisco, CA. Skates in Schools is a collaborative program designed to inspire lifelong learning and achievement through inline skating. Claire Matzger Lilienthal, Eddy's paternal grandmother, was a prominent educator and leading member of the San Francisco Board of Education. She was a seminal figure in the desegregation of San Francisco schools. Before delivering his Skate in Schools message, Eddy and the kids sang "Happy Birthday" to his grandmother, who would have been 94 had she not passed away in 1985. Eddy spoke of the values and high standards for conduct taught to him by his grandmother and how they have helped him succeed in life. Eddy recounted his worldwide adventures on skates to astonished youngsters and told them what a day at work was like for him. He skated around and showed how to turn and stop and how to start a race. The K-2 kids at the Madison Campus and the 3rd-8th graders at the Marina Campus were brimming over with questions for Eddy. Some examples were "Have you ever fallen?" "How many countries have you been to?" "How much money do you make?" and even some smart-aleck questions like "Have you ever been to Djibouti?" The Skate in Schools program got off to a great start. Excited administrators are working on insurance issues and Mrs, Haywood, the Physical Education teacher, has lent her support to the implementation of the Salomon Skate in Schools program at the Claire Lilenthal School. Who knows, perhaps it will inspire future Olympians! www.skatecentral.com |