Grace McLaughlin high-fives a gymnast at the 2016 Harvest Food Drive. McLaughlin's many community service activities earns her a spot on the SEC Community Service Team for the second consecutive season.
Grace McLaughlin Named to SEC Gymnastics Community Service Team
Friday, March 17, 2017 | Gymnastics
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She's contributed more than 400 community service hours since August of 2014.
By: Mary Howard
University of Florida junior Grace McLaughlin lands on the Southeastern Conference Community Service Team for the second consecutive year, the league office announced today. The team is made up of one gymnast from each of the eight competing universities who gives back to her community through exemplary service efforts. Each of the 21 sports the league sponsors has its own Community Service Team.
Since August of 2014, McLaughlin has accumulated a total of more than 400 hours of community service.
She spent more than 320 hours with the Florida Diabetes Camp in the summers of 2015 and 2016. The Florida Diabetes Camp aims to provide a fun, safe camp environment for children with type 1 diabetes and their families.
McLaughlin also participated in "Climb for Cancer" – an event where student-athletes participate in different sports with children who have cancer. She volunteered at UF Health by participating in Caleb's Pitch Syringe Art Painting, where student-athletes paint canvases with pediatric patients at Shands. Grace McLaughlin volunteered at the Florida Diabetes Camp again last summer. McLaughlin is part of the Southeastern Community Service Team again in 2017.
McLaughlin volunteered at local elementary and middle schools on different occasions to work with the children there. She participated in the Baby Gator Field Day, where Baby Gators and their families raced through obstacles and played outside.
In addition, McLaughlin has joined her teammates in an event that aimed to bring awareness and raise funds for the fights against breast cancer. The Gator gymnastics team was at the "Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk" in October of 2014, 2015 and 2016. The gymnasts cheered on runners and walkers at the event. She participated in the annual Harvest Food Drive with her teammates in the fall of 2014, 2015 and 2016, an event where aspiring gymnasts can join the Gators for an afternoon gymnastics clinic. Admission is five non-perishable food items and more than 1,600 pounds of food items were contributed to a local food after the last two events.
Next up:
The Gators look for their second consecutive and 11th league title overall at the Southeastern Conference Championships tomorrow in Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Fla.
Competition is in two sessions – seeds 5-8 compete at 2 p.m. ET and seeds 1-4 compete at 6 p.m. ET. Results from the two sessions are combined to determine team and individual standings.
One ticket gains entrance to both sessions. Tickets range in price from $17 - $10 and can be purchased at TicketMaster.
For the second consecutive year, the SEC Gymnastics Championships are televised live.
Start EvtVUBBBFXNetwork
2 p.m. ET Kentucky Missouri Auburn Arkansas Live on ESPNU
6 p.m. ET LSU Florida Alabama Georgia Live on SEC Network
