07/09/2026
KDH News – Killeen–Fort Hood Area
Belton student athletes contribute more than 2,700 hours of service to community
BY SAM SCHAFFER | TELEGRAM STAFF WRITER - Jul 7, 2026
Belton ISD students help build free wheelchair ramps for those in need in Central Texas area. —Courtesy Belton ISD
BELTON — Maintaining local parks, stocking food pantries, greeting students on campuses and reading to elementary students are just a few of the ways Belton Independent School District student athletes gave back to the community last year.
During the 2025-26 school year, Belton ISD student athletes logged 2,760 hours of community service, according to a news release from the district.
"Community service is a cornerstone of our athletics program because it teaches our students that leadership extends beyond competition," said Sam Skidmore, Belton ISD director of athletics.
"We want our student-athletes to understand that they have a responsibility to give back to the community that supports them,” Skidmore said.
A premiere volunteer opportunity of the athletic program comes from a partnership with the city. Students help maintain and improve Chisholm Trail Park, according to the release.
Student athletes have participated in cleanups and beautification projects at the park over the last four years. Some of their efforts include collecting litter, shoveling sand and mulch, painting boulders and clearing brush on pathways leading to Sparta Elementary School.
The release stated park improvement efforts are meant to inspire the students to take responsibility for a public area they regularly use.
“Our athletes use Chisholm Trail Park regularly, so it makes sense for them to take pride in maintaining and improving it," stated coach Oscar Bersoza, who led student cleanup efforts at the park.
Park improvement efforts are just one area of volunteering by the students.
Throughout the year, teams volunteered with food pantries, participated in Christmas toy drives, supported community festivals and served on elementary campuses through youth camps, career days, morning greetings and classroom book readings, according to the release.
Belton High School teams also partner with the Texas Ramp Project to build free wheelchair ramps for elderly and disabled people throughout Central Texas.
"Our athletes get to see the direct impact of their hard work. The community supports us at games and events, so it's a privilege to give back," Bersoza stated.