Angelica Patterson, a junior at Southern Arkansas University, participated in the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) 2009 Finding Leaders Among Minorities Everywhere (F.L.A.M.E) program, presented by Tyson Foods. She was one of 30 minority student leaders from colleges and universities across the country selected to attend the USOC’s F.L.A.M.E program, which was held at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo., Aug. 1-4, 2009.
Patterson played basketball for SAU during her freshman and sophomore years. Although she no longer plays for SAU, Patterson was still motivated to participate in the program for several reasons.
“I really wanted to meet new people, and learn more about leadership in general. Probably the most important thing I learned was about the value of networking and getting your point across clearly,” said Patterson.
Celebrating its 16th anniversary, F.L.A.M.E. has provided students with an in-depth look at the Olympic movement and personal exploration of the Olympic ideals of persistence, commitment, vision, focus and determination. F.L.A.M.E focuses on mentoring students so that they can apply Olympic-oriented principles to all aspects of their lives. The program also offers a pathway for talented young people to become further involved in the Olympic movement either through the USOC’s college internship program or other career and volunteer opportunities.
“F.L.A.M.E. has consistently been one of the USOC’s most successful outreach programs,” USOC Acting Chief Executive Officer Stephanie Streeter said. “F.L.A.M.E. program alumni have gone on to become Olympians, USOC College interns, USOC sponsor employees and leaders in companies and organizations throughout the country. We are pleased to be able to partner with our sponsors to offer this opportunity to deserving young people year after year.”
Participants in this year’s program represented 29 colleges and universities and hailed from 12 states across the nation. While at the U.S. Olympic Training Center, F.L.A.M.E. participants lived among athletes-in-training, resided in the dormitories and shared meals alongside U.S. Olympians, Paralympians and contenders. The program itinerary included presentations by USOC and National Governing Body senior staff members and one-on-one discussions with motivational speakers such as legendary Olympian Billy Mills (athletics, 1964), Paralympian John Register(athletics, 2000) and two-time Paralympian April Holmes (athletics 2004, 2008).
“The environment was very positive and motivating and you could tell everyone really wanted to be there—it was a priceless experience,” said Patterson.
Two other Arkansasans participated in the program as well, including Patterson’s sister, Alexandria Patterson, of Virginia Commonwealth University, and Elmer Castillo, of Northeastern State University. All three were students at Bentonville High School in Bentonville, Ark.
