PASADENA, Calif. - TelAve -- Backpacks, big smiles, and plenty of champion energy filled the Rose Bowl on August 2nd as Swim Up Hill Foundation Founder and CEO Jamal Hill joined Classroom Champions and the Rose Bowl Institute to help more than 5,000 students get ready for the new school year.

The back-to-school event brought together community partners, families, and special guests to distribute thousands of backpacks and school supplies while giving students an exciting and encouraging start to the year ahead. For local families, many of whom were impacted by the January 2025 Eaton Fire, the event offered both practical support and a chance to celebrate together before returning to the classroom.

Alongside children's entertainers Blippi and Meekah, Hill connected with students throughout the day and encouraged them to discover their "inner champion." With new school supplies in hand and a community cheering them on, students left the event with more than a backpack. The day served as a reminder that they are supported, capable, and ready to take on a new school year.

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For Swim Up Hill, the event was an opportunity to invest in young people beyond the pool. While the organization's work centers on swimming education and water safety, its mission is also rooted in helping young people build confidence and recognize what they are capable of.

The collaboration between Classroom Champions, the Rose Bowl Institute, Swim Up Hill, and participating community partners made the transition to the classroom a little brighter. From easing the burden of purchasing school supplies to creating a day filled with encouragement and excitement, the event sent thousands of students back to school knowing their community was behind them.

About Swim Up Hill Foundation

Based in Los Angeles and led by decorated Paralympian, Founder and CEO Jamal Hill, the Swim Up Hill Foundation provides innovative, culturally relevant swim instruction. Our mission is to eradicate global drowning through swim education by teaching one million people how to swim annually.

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