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FEATURE: Klein Oak players give back in a time of need
As James Smejkal V watched the winter weather blast take aim straight at Texas, towards the end of last week it made him stop and think.
The Klein Oak senior thought about those not as fortunate. People that would struggle in a time like this with the temperatures dropping into the single digits set to happen in the coming days.
On Friday, Smejkal asked Klein Oak football coach Jason Glenn if he could set two donation boxes outside their athletic facility to collect items. Smejkal was asking for clean blankets, beanies, gloves, socks, chapstick, and hand warmers.
"James is a special young man!," Glenn wrote in a Tweet. "One of the most unselfish athletes I have ever been around! His parents are amazing as well and he gets it. This young man should win the noble peace prize for teenagers!"
By Sunday, the boxes were filled with 57 blankets, 43 beanies, 35 jackets, 30 chapsticks, 25 pairs of gloves and socks, and hand warmers.
"Giving back to the community that a lot of times are forgotten is a selfless small act that can impact their lives in a big way," Smejkal said. "We drove through our Klein community finding tents on deserted streets, individuals under bridges and on street corners."
We thank our community for all your support and making today a success. We stayed out until it was unsafe on the roads. Today was a very humbling experience. May everyone stay safe and Happy Valentines Day! @jstephens2021 @CoachJGlenn
— James Smejkal V (@JSmejkal_5) February 15, 2021
It was him and fellow Klein Oak athlete Jamal Stephens who loaded the truck and headed out to distribute the items they had collected.
The duo spent over six hours driving on Sunday until it became unsafe to be out on the roadways.
"It was a very humbling experience meeting people from all walks of life that were grateful for our small generosity," Smejkal said.
During the six-hour day, one encounter stuck with Smejkal.
"We met a man that just wanted the opportunity to take a shower," he said. "Upbeat and positive outlook, but stated, 'I could have $100, and still not be able to take a shower'."
The items that they weren't able to distribute, Smejkal said were donated to the Salvation Army that was then sent to the Barbara Bush Library, which is set to be used as a warming center.
"I was blown away by our community involvement and donations," Smejkal said. "I hope that my little brother, and others see that you can change so many lives by one idea and 20 seconds of insane bravery to step out of your comfort zone to make a difference."
Klein ISD Student-Athletes Sign Letters of Intent on National Signing Day
Klein ISD is home to many distinguished athletes, and yesterday 81 of those athletes penned their NLI's to secure their spot to play in college! Check out the list of signees below!
Klein
Cassidy Verdekal | Ohio State University | Rowing |
Gustavo Posada | Texas A&M | Cross Country |
Samuel Navarro | Fort Scott Junior College | Cross Country |
Christopher Daniels | Incarnate Word | Cross Country |
McKaylon Bowie | Angelina Junior College | Baseball |
Connor Bryan | Tulsa | Football |
Kenzo Viteri | Naval Academy | Football |
Mason Tharp | Texas Tech | Football |
Darius Peterson | New Mexico State | Football |
Camy Kling | University of North Alabama | Volleyball |
Annie Antar | University of North Florida | Volleyball |
Devan Taylor | Clemson | Volleyball |
Allie Clements | Stanford | Softball |
Donatus Onu | Biola University | Swimming |
Vitalis Onu | Fordham University | Swimming |
Paige Walsh | University of North Texas | Swimming |
Hallie Williams | BYU | Swimming |
Joshua Le | NYU | Swimming |
Klein Forest
Ahmonte Watkins | Texas Christian University | Football |
Darrin Baker | Arizona Christian University | Football |
Willie Green | Rend Lake College | Baseball |
Dante Samuel | McPherson College | Football |
Devante Samuel | Texas Wesleyan University | Football |
Albert Thomas | Angelo State University | Football |
Mackenzie Baldwin | Southern Arkansas University | Softball |
Haley Boardman-Lyttle | Lamar State College | Softball |
Makayla Hall | Texas State | Softball |
Kenna Hendry | LeTourneau University | Softball |
Amber Poorbaugh | Frank Phillips College | Softball |
Allison Saville | Sam Houston State University | Softball |
Natalia Watkins | Tyler Junior College | Softball |
Brianna Wray | UCLA | Rowing |
Taryn Kooyers | University of Texas | Rowing |
Alexa Holloway | James Madison | Diving |
Emi Velez | UMHB | Women's Soccer |
Rebekah Gutierrez | Indian Hills College | Women's Soccer |
Kaitylyn Menard | LeTourneau University | Women's Soccer |
Ashlyn Jones | ULL | Women's Basketball |
Mallory Dawson | Coastal Bend Community | Volleyball |
Clay Westbrook | Ranger College | Baseball |
Anthony Venturella | Bethel University | Baseball |
Braydon Burciaga | McPherson College | Baseball |
Jayde Sihan | Auburn | Soccer/Track |
PJ Tabor | Pittsburgh State University | Football |
Chandler Donaway | A&M Commerce | Football |
Nolan Steeples | Southern Nazarene University | Football |
Max Roberts | McMurry State | Football |
Kason Tulios | Texas A&M | Football |
Zach Adams | Texas State | Football |
Klein Collins
Adrian Losa | Friends University | Soccer |
Evelyn Argueta | Letourneau University | Soccer |
Jada Brown | Navarro College | Soccer |
Kenny Burleson | Ranger Junior College | Baseball |
Jarret Imel | Oklahoma Wesleyan | Baseball |
Brycen Metoyer | Alvin Junior College | Baseball |
Tyler Taylor | Ranger Junior College | Baseball |
Mekaila Aupiu | University of Texas San Antonio | Volleyball |
Faith Wilemon | University of Arkansas Monticello | Volleyball |
Cornelious Blalock | Hamiline University | Football |
Randolph Dean | Papago | Football |
Siavash Ferrell | Southern Nazarene University | Football |
Mikey Hookfin | Southeastern Oklahoma State University | Football |
Bruce Jackson III | Southwestern Assemblies of God University | Football |
JJ Jackson | Papago | Football |
Donald Lee | Grambling State University | Football |
Jonathan Lewis | Southern Arkansas University | Football |
Donavan Phenix-Niman | Southwestern Oklahoma State University | Football |
Colby Powers | University of Arizona | Football |
Richard Walker | USMC | Football |
Trenton Ward | University of North Texas | Football |
Nadia Almanza | Navarro College | Softball |
Kylee Jacks | Tyler Junior College | Softball |
Abigail Ramirez | McLennan Community College | Softball |
Pacey White | Texas Lutheran University | Softball |
Klein Cain
Seth Taylor | Ranger College | Baseball |
Carson Fallowfield | McMurry University | Baseball |
Haley Brown | East Texas Baptist University | Basketball |
Byron Deary | Southern Arkansas University | Football |
Johrdan Howard | Hardin Simmons University | Football |
Cash Saxton | Hardin Simmons University | Football |
Kendall Buish | Queens University | Volleyball |