BOISE -- Saturday's Bronco game was not only a home game for fans. It had some extra special meaning for some very important
people.
The program is called "Lift Up America," and its goal is to provide inspiration and hope to children who may not get a chance to see
higher education as a part of their lives.
They are only around 10 years old, not college prodigies, but rather college potentials.
300 4th and 5th graders from Parma, Caldwell and Nampa were on the Boise State University campus for much of the day.
For many, it was the game that drew them in.
"We are going to go to the BSU game and see the players," said Kimberly Felty, one of the students who participated in the program.
But the educational experience is what brought them to campus.
Lift Up America is a national campaign that helps mentor children.
"We've seen the Hall of Fame and the statue of the horse," said Dante Carreno of his campus tour.
The students are part of an organization call 21st Century. It's an after school program that helps keep kids off the streets and from
getting into trouble.
Their trip to BSU today was to show the students the fun and benefits of a college degree.
"So we can get education and go to college and have a good job and get paid good money," Felty said.
For many of the students, if they decide to go to college, they would be the first in their families.
Research says it's at these students' grade level, around 5th grade, that children decide whether to complete their education or not.
And the program is hoping these students decide now to become Broncos in the future.
"I told them that staying out of trouble is a big part of being a successful person," said Josh Butler, a student ambassador.
Butler was one of the student ambassadors who led the kids around, explaining that college isn't just classrooms and hard
work, but enjoyable.
"A positive influence and outlook will get them where they want to be and hopefully it's here being a Bronco," Butler said.
"The ambassadors had a great time today," said Valerie Cleary with the BSU Athlete Enhancement Programs. "They were great
mentors for the kids. I think our ambassadors get almost more out of it than the kids do."
And the program may have inspired some of the students to strive for a college education.
"You have to try your best and give your best effort," said one student.
One of the highlights of today's field trip - the students got to form a human tunnel for the Bronco Football team to run through.
