Boilermakers surprise students at pep rally before taking annual exams

LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue football and standardized testing – two things you could say produce far different responses from elementary school students in Greater Lafayette.

The third- and fourth-graders at Edgelea Elementary School received a surprise visit from several Boilermaker football players during a pep rally the school’s Indiana Learning Evaluation Assessment Readiness Network prep rally.

For months, students have been preparing to take one of the hardest exams in their academic careers, the state’s ILEARN test is a summative accountability assessment that gauges Indiana students’ academic prowess in a multitude of subjects.

With only a few weeks away from the exam week, Edgelea principal Ana Ave considered ways to get her students pumped and excited for the weeklong test.

Initially, Ave thought about giving the students the opportunity to earn toys and treats throughout the exam week.

But then a close friend, Monica Waters, told Ave about a few Boilermaker football players who would love to participate in the school’s rally.

Ave welcomed the idea, and invited offensive lineman André Oben, offensive lineman Malachi Preciado, defensive end Nic Caraway and Purdue student Andrew Buban to Edgelea.

“The ILEARN test is several days' long we like to make it as fun as possible for the kids. To keep them motivated and engaged. And we thought that this would be great for them to see these Purdue students in all their glory,” Ave said.

“I think they just really love kids, and they wanted to come here and be an inspiration to these kids.”

At the start of the rally, the students' eyes were initially glued to the cart full of chips, candy and toys. But their attention was quickly drawn to the four Purdue University students walking behind Ave. Three of the students were wearing their Purdue Boilermaker football jerseys.

When the students noticed Oben, Preciado, Caraway and Buban entered the cafeteria, the room erupted in excitement.

“I can’t tell you how excited I am to be up here with you,” Caraway said to the crowd of students.

“You guys have been preparing for this test all year long, and don’t get nervous because you guys got this. I believe in you.”

After the initial excitement, Ave and the Purdue students invited several third- and fourth-graders to the front of the room to share their best advice about how to take tests and how to “be brave” during the week of testing.

Ave also explained how students would be able to win prizes during the week of testing and then had the Purdue students hand out prizes to students in attendance.

To end the rally, Ave invited all of the students to stand up and dance to the song, "YMCA," with the Boilermaker athletes.

After the rally, the Boilermakers offered the students a high-five and advice that they had on how to be good test-takers.

“We all love having the opportunities to speak to the kids,” Oben said.

“Last week, we went to West Lafayette Intermediate School to talk to those kids. And it’s just a great way to give back to the community and to hopefully touch somebody’s life.”

Most of the students were more excited about getting a photo with a real Boilermaker than ask for test advice.

“The main experience that I’ve gotten back from this is just, it takes just a small hey or high five to change someone’s life or to brighten somebody’s day. Especially with little kids like that,” Preciado said.

When asked what brought them out to visit Edgelea, the Purdue students highlighted the importance of being involved with one’s community and how it’s especially important to support younger students.

For Caraway and Buban, they shared a few memories of how when they were kids, how magical it was when university players would visit their schools to motivate students.

“When I was a kid, Johnny Manziel used to come to my school all the time,” said Caraway

“Those moments when he would come to my school and give back was one of the craziest things. Like, I just meet Johnny Manziel. He was the guy back then.

“And it’s kind of crazy because I’m kind of in the same position. I’m a student-athlete and I can give back to the children. I like to see how excited they are to see us.”

“I remember I would go home and tell my entire family or anyone who would listen and had an ear, how excited I was to meet the football and baseball players that I met from Texas A&M. To get the opportunity to give back is very humbling,” Buban said.

Beyond the notion of trying to get these students excited for the ILEARN test, the Boilermakers also wanted to be role models to the students of the community and give back to the community that supports them.

“I didn’t really have that growing up, like throughout middle school and high school. And you know, it kind of feels good to be in that position to be able to do that for others,” Preciado said.

“These kids are priceless. The expressions they made and how happy they were. It’s something that you can’t duplicate. It’s a one-of-a-kind moment.”

Noe Padilla is a reporter for the Journal & Courier. Email him at Npadilla@jconline.com and follow him on Twitter at 1NoePadilla.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Boilermakers surprise students at pep rally before taking annual exams