MONTICELLO – Recently, the University of Arkansas at Monticello women’s basketball team conducted an assembly about optimism at the Monticello Elementary School.
 
“As a member of this community, I feel it is very important for this program to give back,” said UAM head coach Chris Ratcliff.
 
The assembly was centered on the school’s word of the day, optimism.
 
Ratcliff started the assembly by introducing team members present and followed with a short speech about the team and the current season.
 
The team followed with a short demonstration on lay-ups and jump-shots. Following that, seniors Addie Lees and Andrea Dubose both spoke with the students about optimism.
 
“It’s very rewarding to know I have players whom understand the importance of being community minded,” said Ratcliff. “It was great to see the student’s faces light up when our players were talking to them.”