MAD! Stories

California: La Mesa-Spring Valley District Uses...

In this K-8 district serving ~11,000 students, leaders highlighted their unique sports league that integrates social-emotional learning (SEL), teaching kids to be better teammates through athletics. Panelists shared stories of...

Texas: Teen Goalie Bianca Birritieri Eyes 2030 ...

In Flower Mound/Coppell area, 17-year-old hockey goalie Bianca Birritieri drew huge motivation from watching hometown hero Hannah Bilka win Olympic gold with Team USA women's hockey. Birritieri, already a standout,...

New York: Second Graders' Letters Motivate Team...

In western New York, a class of second graders wrote heartfelt encouragement letters to Team USA's four-man bobsled squad ahead of the Milano Cortina Olympics, providing an emotional boost during...

Arkansas: Youth Hockey Surge Inspired by Team U...

In Little Rock and Central Arkansas, young players in the local amateur hockey leagues reported a massive spike in interest and sign-ups following Team USA's men's and women's hockey gold...

Michigan: MHSAA Basketball Standouts Shine in M...

Across Michigan High School Athletic Association games, young basketball players delivered highlight-reel performances in key matchups, including strong scoring runs, defensive stops, and team victories that advanced squads in conference...

New Jersey: Under-the-Radar Wrestler Temiloluwa...

In New Jersey high school wrestling, Old Bridge senior Temiloluwa “Temi” Odumbo, the 13th-seeded wrestler at 190 pounds with a 7-7 record entering the Greater Middlesex Conference (GMC) Tournament, defied...