ACC Recognizes Pitt’s Top Six for Service

GREENSBORO, N.C. – Four University of Pittsburgh student-athletes and two athletic teams were honored by the ACC with the league's Top Six for Service Award, an honor presented annually to student-athletes and programs from each ACC institution that demonstrate dedication to community service and outreach programs.

The Panthers' four student-athlete recipients include three from women's track & field: Taylor Middleton, Nina Crawford and Carolyn Helenski, and Taleb Rahmani from wrestling. Pitt's team recipients were baseball and women's gymnastics.

The recipients have shown a willingness to help others and demonstrated a passion for wanting to enrich the lives of those around them.

More information on Pitt's honorees:

Taylor Middleton (women's track & field) – Pitt's 2019-20 top-preforming student-athlete in terms of total service hours (70), Middleton has become a mainstay in the Pittsburgh community. Whether it be teaching underprivileged children during weekly tutoring sessions, organizing a Christmas shopping trip for those in need or regularly assisting the Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, Middleton has always jumped at the opportunity to serve others.

Nina Crawford (women's track & field) – Crawford's impact has been a focused effort, as she has made assisting Hill District youth a priority. During her 20-plus visits to various community centers, Crawford has educated children during weekly tutoring visits, taught them the value and fun of being physically active and provided them with a strong female role model.

Taleb Rahmani (wrestling) – Balancing the rigors of a top-tier wrestling regimen and a pre-med academic workload, Rahmani has consistently jumped at the opportunity to serve. His main initiatives include spending time with Hill District youth, restoring community space during Pitt Make a Difference Day and serving food to the hungry at the Pittsburgh Community Foodbank.

Carolyn Helenski (women's track & field) – Serving as the SAAC Community Service Subcommittee Chair, Helenski has been instrumental in both planning and performing service to the Pittsburgh community. She was essential in the coordination of the weekly tutoring visits to the Hill District as well as the larger scale, SAAC Field Day.

Pitt Baseball team – Pitt baseball utilized its sport as a platform to serve. The team's efforts include assisting mentally and physically disabled community members during the annual Miracle League Baseball Game, coaching underprivileged youth in part of Urban Impact and attending a professional baseball game with a group of vets in partnership with Veteran Affairs.

Pitt Gymnastics team – Averaging nearly 13 hours of service per team member, Pitt gymnastics has adopted community service as part of its team culture. Some of the team's main initiatives include spending time at the Pressley Ridge School for Autism, volunteering at the Light Up the Night event benefitting the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and honoring those had lost their lives during the Tree of Life Vigil.

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University of Pittsburgh Athletics

ACC Recognizes Pitt’s Top Six for Service

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Players Mentioned

Nina Crawford

Carolyn Helenski

Taylor Middleton

Taleb Rahmani

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