Perseverance and teamwork were the name of the game when Earl L. Vandermeulen High School varsity football players visited Gina Santini’s fourth-grade class as part of a community service project.

The football players – Jonathan Bachmann, Sam Caltagirone, Nathan DiGregorio, Ryan Holmes, Patrick Kleaka, Bryce Lewis, Michael McGuire, Matt Murphy, Daniel Shaughnessy, Jordan Suarez, Eric Zimmermann and Gabe Zoda – participated in the event along with cheer captain Katie Ambrozy, in the event organized by the team’s booster club, parent Holly Caltagirone and coach Andrew Cosci.

After reading “Game Day” by Tiki and Ronde Barber, the players took turns answering questions from students from how they balance their schoolwork and sports to plans for the future. The reading session culminated with the athletes taking the fourth-graders outside to teach them how to throw a football.

“The camaraderie of these athletes is inspiring,” Mr. Cosci said, adding that the event is something he looks forward to having the students participate in, as they serve as role models and encourage the younger students to form and maintain friendships throughout their school years.