Page 28 - Sports Illustrated for Kids Magazine (December 2019)
P. 28
In schools
to unlock
potential.
At the beginning of his
freshman year, Jalen’s
ambition wavered. He lost
sight of his goals and found
himself straying from his path.
Toriano from Communities In
Schools became his trusted
guide, working with Jalen to
improve his attendance, raise ELENA LAMAR
his GPA and set clear goals
for the future. Now a senior, DELLE DONNE vs. JACKSON
Jalen is a first-chair trombone
Washington Mystics, forward Baltimore Ravens, quarterback
player and drum major in
his high school marching
30 AGE 22
band. He’s exploring musical
scholarship opportunities for 6' 5", 187 pounds HEIGHT, WEIGHT 6' 2", 212 pounds
college, and he has dreams
of becoming a U.S. Marshal. Wilmington, Delaware HOMETOWN Boynton Beach, Florida
There are millions of at-risk
Dubbed “the female LeBron” NICKNAME Was called Smiley Face when he
kids like Jalen who need a in high school. was a child.
caring adult to help them stay
in school and succeed in life. Her foundation raises funds for GOOD WORKS Helped raise money for Blessings in
Lyme disease research and a Backpack, which provides food to
special-needs programs. schoolchildren in need.
See how we help
all kids succeed. Led her high school volleyball team to Ran track in high school and
a state championship and played one OTHER SPORT showed off hoops skills by making
CommunitiesInSchools.org season of the sport in college a full-court shot (football-style).
at Delaware.
The McDonald’s All-American was Was largely ignored by major
one of the most sought-after recruits RECRUITING programs until the middle of his
in years. She eventually picked ROAD junior season, and was just the
UConn, but left the school after two 409th-ranked player in the nation.
days to be nearer to her family.
Has a very close relationship with her Was surprised at the 2018 draft with
sister, Lizzie, who has cerebral palsy a video message from his younger STEPHEN GOSLING/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES (DELLE DONNE); GAIL BURTON/AP/SHUTTERSTOCK (JACKSON)
and is blind and deaf. Elena plans to brother, Jamar: “From when we were
be Lizzie’s caretaker when their SWEET SIBLING outside playing, to you jumping over
parents can no longer do the job. my head in the backyard, I knew
“That’s my girl,” she said. “I’m not there was something special
going to let anybody else be taking about you.”
Liz in. She’ll be with me.”
Posed with her rescue dog Rasta in CANINE COLLECTION His Era 8 Apparel sells hoodies and
an ad for animal adoption. shirts with wild dogs on them.
26 / SPORTS ILLUSTRATED KIDS
