This is part of a series highlighting recent ACE participants who are finding meaningful ways to connect and build on their ACE experience beyond their three-week ACE summer program. After student-athlete participants complete their ACE summer, they are encouraged to think about a specific goal that connects their ACE experience to their life in a meaningful way. ACE staff support this process through the development of a personal ACE Action Plan and 1-1 coaching, group meetings, and check-ins throughout the year.
After participating in the ACE in Panama 2024 program, Connor Barket focused his Action Plan on initiating an independent project with his fellow ACE in Panama alums. When they returned to campus, they made a plan aimed at to providing resources to local high school athletes through mentoring and sponsorship to support their athletic and personal development by creating The Rising Athletes Foundation.
The inspiration for his Action Plan and the foundation came from his ACE experience in Panama. Connor reflects, “[in Panama] we helped run sports camps for local elementary schools. After seeing the reality of their situation, it became clear that the transformative power of sports—something we as Duke athletes have experienced—was not a reality for them. This realization inspired us to take action and ensure that athletes in the Durham area do not face similar limitations.”
After returning to campus in the fall, Connor began working toward getting the Rising Athletes Foundation up and running. His plan has largely stayed true to the original vision, but it has also expanded. “We aim to develop a tutoring program and grow the club to 50 mentors. While we still have a long way to go, we remain focused on our mission.”
Like with many projects of this nature, Connor and his team were faced with many challenges. Connor shares, “One of the biggest challenges has been connecting with the local [Durham] community and engaging with athletes. Building relationships with local teams has proven difficult, and while we are still working on overcoming this, we continue to seek effective solutions to strengthen our outreach.”
Connor reflects on how ACE has helped shape his perspective on service: “ACE gave me the opportunity to embark on a journey I never would have taken otherwise and exposed me to perspectives and lessons I didn’t even know I needed to learn.”
Connor and the Rising Athletes team held their first meeting this month on February 16. Click here to listen to Connor speak about Rising Athletes and their goals.