DAVIS, Calif. — UC Davis student athletes Morgan Caldera (field hockey) and Boston Stovall (football) recently visited Fred T. Korematsu Elementary School to lead an interactive assembly centered around the department's Aggie L.I.F.E. principles: Leadership, Inclusion, Fitness and Education.
Drawing from their experiences as Division I student-athletes, Caldera and Stovall shared lessons on teamwork, perseverance and balancing academics with athletics. The pair encouraged students to think about how the Aggie L.I.F.E. values can be applied in their own classrooms, friendships and daily routines.
"I enjoyed the opportunity to give back to the Davis community," said Stovall. "Kids need role models to look up to, and I thank Christ for allowing me to be that example for them!"
"I've had a great experience as a student-athlete at UC Davis and learned a lot during my time here," Caldera said. "It was rewarding to share some of those lessons with local students and encourage them to apply the Aggie L.I.F.E. values in their own lives."
Throughout the presentation, the student-athletes discussed how leadership extends beyond sports, inclusion helps strengthen communities, fitness supports both physical and mental well-being, and education creates opportunities for future success. They also answered questions about life as college athletes and the habits that help them succeed at UC Davis.
The assembly featured a hands-on "Aggie Challenge" relay race that used sports equipment from several UC Davis programs to demonstrate the importance of teamwork and collaboration. Students worked together to navigate obstacles while relying on different tools and approaches to complete the challenge. Following the activity, Caldera connected the exercise to the value of inclusion, emphasizing that teams are strongest when everyone contributes their unique strengths and perspectives.
The visit concluded with an enthusiastic "Ready, Ready? Go Ags!" as the student-athletes challenged the students to carry the Aggie L.I.F.E. principles with them both in school and at home. Through their visit, Caldera and Stovall demonstrated how UC Davis student-athletes are making a positive impact beyond competition by engaging with and inspiring the local community.
