For Immediate Release: May 5, 2003
Contact: Dave Geringer, UTPA Sports Information Director, (956) 381-2240

UTPA STUDENT- ATHLETES VISIT COMFORT HOUSE

EDINBURG, TX-Several representatives from The University of Texas-Pan American's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee spent a day trying to brighten up some people's lives recently.

Five Texas-Pan American student-athletes spent an afternoon at the Comfort House of McAllen, TX. The Comfort House provides free end-of-life care for people who are terminally ill.

Sophomore Jennifer Arriola (Rio Rico, AZ/Rio Rico HS) of the women's basketball team, seniors Cynthia Kasper (Austin, TX/Connally HS) and Jaclyn Muszynski (Walnut, CA/Walnut HS) of the volleyball team, and freshmen Aaron Castro (McAllen, TX/McAllen Memorial HS) and Deanah Chavez (Edinburg, TX/ Edinburg HS) of the track and field team volunteered their time to assist residents.

"We tried to show everyone that they weren't alone," said Arriola. "Some of them don't know anyone and are very afraid, and we tried to make them more relaxed and less fearful of death. When we were there, we could see that they were excited, and they were happy to see young people who were caring about them."

Arriola said that the student-athletes tried to get to know the residents. "We just asked them simple questions to get to know them," said Arriola. "We brought them an Easter basket filled with goodies, and a bird feeder, so they could sit outside and watch the birds. We also brought each resident a candle, some Easter eggs, some cookies, and a card."

The student-athletes were touched by a situation involving a former student-athlete who is now a resident. "One of the residents there was someone who was 18 years old," said Arriola. "He used to play soccer, and he tripped while he was practicing and had a head injury. It was sad to see."

The student-athletes enjoyed their visit. "It felt special to go there, and notice how our visit affected everybody there," said Arriola. "It's something that I'd like to see everyone get involved in, being a part of making someone joyful and bringing them happiness for the rest of their life."

The visit was made in connection with the partnership that the UTPA Athletic Department has formed with the Comfort House.

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