During a busy summer of volleyball matches and softball games, Carly Uhlir has found peaceful moments this summer in a classroom every Wednesday morning teaching children from low-income families in Glen Ellyn.
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Uhlir is a two-sport standout for Trinity and is being counted upon as a returning starting outside hitter for the volleyball team this fall. The Blazers could bring back at least four starters and three other regulars from a team that went 20-17 in coach Ken Uhlir’s first season.
His daughter, Carly, does not like to remain idle around the house over the summer, so the rising junior decided to volunteer with a non-profit organization in addition to her usual activities on the athletic field.
Carly Uhlir discovered the Glen Ellyn Children’s Resource Center, which is based at Lincoln Elementary School during the summer to help provide additional lessons for students in Districts 41 and 89 schools. She started the application process after finding out on volunteermatch.org that the GECRC was looking for help.
The LaGrange Park resident has never been a teacher, but was selected to instruct basic reading skills to a classroom of kindergarten through first-grade students each Wednesday from 8:40 to 11 a.m. She is teaching numbers, counting and phonics.
Her students break for lunch at 11 a.m. At noon other instructors take over for a visit to the Glen Ellyn Public Library.
“It has been so much fun,” Carly Uhlir said. “I’m doing some serious school stuff instead of focusing on sports.
“I come home every time and I’m so happy. It’s a great experience. They are smart and we are helping them learn.”
Ken Uhlir said Carly put in all the work finding a volunteer organization, filling out the application and undergoing the interview.
“My wife [Chris] and I are proud,” Ken Uhlir said. “She is No. 1 in her class and works her tail off. She looks at the most important thing. She wanted to broaden her horizons as a seasonal volunteer.”
Carly Uhlir also is a freelance outfielder for softball travel teams in need of an extra player during summer tournaments.
She’s also been busy with volleyball this month as Trinity makes its debut in the Sports Performance summer league on Tuesday and Thursday nights in Aurora.
Expectations are high for the Blazers, which this season will drop to Class 3A from 4A for the playoffs.
Carly Uhlir at hitter and Tori Morrill at setter are poised to return this season. Others expected back are right-side hitter Dimitra Gritzanis and middle hitter Jovana Bulatovic, along with Natalie Bova, Sierra Brown and Delaney Doolin.
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