Summer break is over, and the new school year is roaring back! William H. Taft Elementary School students celebrated the new school year with a give-away courtesy of PepsiCo.
Pepsi employee volunteers distributed backpacks and other essentials to help PreK-6 students for the year ahead. A special guest in attendance, however, really brought the “pep” and encouraged students to give their best effort in the classroom: legendary Cincinnati Bengals tackle Anthony Muñoz.
“It’s amazing just to see these kids light up,” Muñoz said. “Just interacting with them after being at home for the summer, you can tell there’s excitement.”
PepsiCo and Muñoz handed out 240 backpacks, school supplies – including notebooks, notepads, folders and writing utensils – and nutritious snacks. Lunch was provided by Food for Good, PepsiCo Foundation’s global platform for advancing food security and making nutritious foods accessible.
Muñoz is always eager to get involved in the community and give back to schools but knows the impact transcends just supplying materials. These events are also important opportunities for inspirational figures to connect with younger generations, motivate them to succeed and invest in their education.
Student Jahmyia agreed. In addition to being excited to show off her goodies, she said she could feel the good energy in the school.
“Kids don’t care what you know until they know that you care,” Muñoz said. “If we can make this a place they enjoy being, they look forward to it. This will be a foundation for what they have to move forward.”
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