UTC's Ansley Chilton helping kids at Buddy Walk

photo Ansley Chilton

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga women's basketball player Ansley Chilton is already putting her education as a special educaton major to work in a practical way.

Chilton, a redshirt freshman post player from Dade County, has been teaching dance to a group of Down syndrome and special needs students, and her Sunshine Ambassadors will perform this morning at AT&T Field in advance of the 2014 Buddy Walk, a fundraising event for the Chattanooga Down Syndrome Society.

After a family friend with a Down syndrome child met Chilton early last summer, she began working with the students, who range in age from 2 up into their 20s, at Concord Baptist Church. Chilton said the program helps the students learn to socialize with other people and have a good time.

"Social interaction is good for them," she said. "And it gets them out of the house and allows them to have fun. ... I just let them do their thing, and it allows them to just let loose and have fun."

Chilton hopes to have at least five of her Sunshine Ambassadors students perform at 9:45 a.m. prior to the opening ceremonies at 10. The walk begins at 11, and the cost to participate is $15 and includes a Buddy Walk T-shirt.

For Chilton, being able to work with young kids has given her an early insight into special education and has validated her choice in a college major.

"This is what I'm meant to do," she said. "I get such a happy feeling in my heart when I'm around the kids and when I see them smiling and dancing.

"I just think God has a plan laid out for me, and this is just part of it."

Ansley and her teammates have begun preparing for the start of the 2014-15 season in preseason workouts under second-year UTC coach Jim Foster. The Mocs will open play Nov. 14 at home against Villanova, and the Tennessee Lady Vols will visit McKenzie Arena on Nov. 26.

Contact Jim Tanner at jtanner@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6478. Follow him at twitter.com/JFTanner.

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