At the University of Arizona, student-athletes serve as inspirations to young people in the community through the Smith Project Speaker's Bureau. That same program helps student-athletes learn more about public speaking and helps them to be comfortable addressing groups. It's a win-win all the way around.

Student-athletes involved with the speaker's bureau visit elementary and middle schools in the community, speaking to the youngsters about a variety of topics, including the detriments of drug and alcohol abuse, the importance of an education, handling peer pressure and goal setting.

Last year, student-athletes at Arizona spoke to more than 20,000 schoolchildren as a part of this program.

"The Smith Project Speakers' Bureau gives University of Arizona student-athletes a chance to reach out and give back to the community of Tucson that gives so much to them," said Matt Wersel, a junior on the Wildcats' baseball team.

Before student-athletes serve as speakers, they receive training in public speaking. The program is administered through CATS (Commitment to an Athlete's Total Success), a program of the athletics department that assists student-athletes with their personal development.

"The CATS community service project has been a great program to help others see that dreams can come true, and it also has been a great way for me to see how my life can impact others," said Shannon Monti, a senior on the Arizona women's soccer team.

Christina Monteiro, a senior on the women's golf team, noted that the speaker's bureau is a great way for student-athletes to put their own lives into perspective.

"I find this project very rewarding and humbling," she said. "We all need reminding of how fortunate we are to have this opportunity to play a sport at the collegiate level. The kids we speak to are sometimes so in awe of what we, as University of Arizona athletes, do -- both mentally and physically. I sometimes forget that what my team and I have accomplished here at Arizona is indeed very special to our community, and these kids remind me of that every time I go out and speak."

Melanie Derksen, an administrator at Holaway Elementary School, said the student-athletes' efforts at her school have been appreciated.

"We need real-life inspiration for our athletics dreams," she said. "Many of these student-athletes gave hundreds of young children much inspiration and dreams to look forward to someday. I have only great praise for all of these student-athletes and what they have accomplished. I can't thank them enough for taking their time and having such a huge impact on all of us at Holaway Elementary School."