Media release/update
Cushing, OK — On May 13, students at Cushing Elementary School welcomed athlete mentor, Macy Tarlton, Team USA Bobsledder and Olympic Weightlifer, for a special in-school event through Classroom Champions. The visit gave students the opportunity to meet their athlete mentor in person and celebrate the learning, mentorship and goal-setting they have been working on together throughout the school year.
Classroom Champions is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to helping students build the confidence, perseverance, and fundamental skills they need to succeed, through a proven curriculum rooted in the mentorship and mindset of Olympic and Paralympic athlete mentors.
“Through Classroom Champions, I try to show students that even athletes feel fear and wonder if we are good enough sometimes,” says Macy Tarlton. “Sport taught me that the key to success is to keep going, keep learning and have fun along the way. It’s been incredible to watch the students grow more confident and curious this school year, and I am really excited to meet them in person and continue sharing those lessons together.”
Students and educators in Cushing Public Schools are participating in the Classroom Champions program, which connects classrooms with elite athlete mentors throughout the school year.
“We are incredibly grateful to partner with Classroom Champions to bring meaningful mentorship opportunities to our students,” said Nancy Dowell, Principal from Cushing Public Schools. “Our mission is to ensure every school guarantees that all students reach their full potential through rigorous and joyful learning experiences in a nurturing environment, and programs like Classroom Champions help reinforce those values by inspiring students to believe in themselves and their future.”
The event is sponsored by South Bow, a member of The Energizing Communities Collective. With operations in the United States and Canada, South Bow helps expand access to Classroom Champions programming while supporting positive community impact in the region it serves.
“Our Light Post guides how we invest in the communities where we live and work, which is why we’re proud to support opportunities like this that inspire students, build confidence and help them see their full potential,” said Brittany Brockway, US External Relations at South Bow. “Seeing the impact Macy Tarlton has had on students at Cushing Elementary is a powerful reminder that strong role models can truly make a difference.”
Thanks to the support of The Energizing Communities Collective (The Collective), Classroom Champions has been able to expand its mentorship programming in underserved schools across Western Canada and in select areas in the United States where the energy sector operates. Over the past three years (2023–2026), the program has grown to reach 139 schools, including 51 Indigenous communities, impacting more than 20,000 students each year. The Collective is now entering phase two of this movement with a goal of raising $5 million and impacting another 100,000 students in these operating areas.
“One of the most powerful moments for students in the Classroom Champions program is when they meet their athlete mentor in person,” says Seth Rosenzweig, CEO of Classroom Champions. “Athletes like Macy Tarlton bring lessons about perseverance and resilience to life in a way that resonates deeply with students. These community events help inspire students and reinforce that the skills they are learning in the classroom can shape how they approach challenges in school, sport, and life.”
Tarlton recently returned from Milan, where she watched her close friend and teammate Elana Meyers Taylor (previous athlete mentor with Classroom Champions) win gold at the 2026 Winter Olympics. At the Cushing Elementary community event, students will have the opportunity to ask questions, hear personal stories from Tarlton’s journey and learn from her experiences with both success and setbacks.
About Classroom Champions Classroom
Champions is a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering K-8 students with the confidence, perseverance and fundamental skills they need to excel and reach their potential in school and beyond. Since 2008, we’ve partnered with Olympic, Paralympic, professional, and collegiate athletes to inspire students across North America. Our unique curriculum blends life skills with the world class athlete journey, helping students develop a Champion Mindset – one that embraces challenges, fosters perseverance, and believes in personal growth.
For more information, visit classroomchampions.org and follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Linkedin at @classroomchampions and X at @classroomchamps.
