Masterson Named to SEC's Community Service Team
STARKVILLE, Miss. - In a Monday afternoon league announcement, Mississippi State track and field athlete Renee Masterson was named to the 2012 Southeastern Conference Community Service Team.
The Indiana native was chosen for her work throughout the Starkville community and her home town of Beech Grove, Ind. Though Masterson is often busy with her track and field career, she still makes it a priority to find time to give back to the community that she says has shown her so much support.
"It is my upmost pleasure to serve the people in this community," Masterson said. "This community has religiously shown their support to me and my fellow athletes and I enjoy being able to give my support back to them."
Being a runner, Masterson knows the importance of a good pair of shoes. That is why she volunteers her time with Soles4Souls, an organization that provides shoes to those less fortunate. Another thing that is close to Masterson's heart is feeding the community, which is why she works with both MSU's annual Thanksgiving food drive, as well as the SEC's Together We CAN Food Drive. Lastly, Masterson starts each fall semester by helping her fellow students move into their dorm rooms during MSU's annual MVNU2MSU event.
In addition to service with food drives and Soles4Souls, Masterson is a member of the student M-Club: a group of student athletes who are committed to community involvement and service; as well as volunteering with summer Vacation Bible Schools and serving as a mentor to children in grades 4-8.
While serving the community and competing in both cross country and track and field takes up a lot of Masterson's time, the junior still finds time to pursue a degree in biology.
The SEC sponsors Community Service Teams for all 20 league sponsored sports. The Community Service Team looks to highlight an athlete from each school who gives back to his/her community in superior service efforts. The full 2011 Track and Field Community Service Team can be viewed by visiting www.secsports.com.