ACE in Panama ’24 alum and Duke Wrestling team member Connor Barket was recently highlighted in December’s issue of “GoDuke,” Duke Athletics’ monthly magazine.
In the ACE in Panama Program focused on facilitating an after-school volleyball camp for youth in two rural Panamanian communities located in Coclé, Panama. The group split into teams of six and worked at two elementary schools, Escuela de Tambo and Escuela Monte Grande. Over the course of the week, the student-athletes lesson planned, taught volleyball, and engaged with the local community members of Coclé. In the GoDuke article, Connor reflects on his time coaching volleyball in Panama: “In the time I spent with the kids, I was able to learn a little bit about each and every one of them and formed a real connection with them.”
From his experience in Panama, Connor was inspired to establish the Rising Athletes Foundation with his Panama teammates, a non-profit organization geared towards providing local Durham high school athletes with mentorship, tutoring, and support navigating the world of college sports. Connor hopes to connect with the first group of high school students through the Rising Athletes Foundation in the coming weeks.
Read the full article here: https://digital.learfield.com/godukemag-dec2024.html