CRYSTAL HARDY TO CARRY OLYMPIC TORCH

A College Student from Dublin Will Be One of 20 Americans Carrying the Ollympic Torch, Prior To the 2010 Winter Games.

Crystal Hardy
















The following is from a News Release from Georgia Southern University.


Hardy will carry the torch in Calgary, Canada on January 18, 2010. Hardy, a sophomore majoring in American Sign Language/Interpretation, was chosen by torch relay sponsor Coca-Cola for the honor because of her volunteer work in several areas, including environmental sustainability. Hardy co-founded the Laurens County Green Teens in her hometown of Dublin, Ga. and is active in recycling and sustainability efforts at Georgia Southern University.

"I hope this honor allows the things that I've done for others and for the environment to shine," Hardy said. "Its such an honor to go on to represent everyday champions of positive living, and hopefully my story will inspire others to give back in any way they can."

Hardy's efforts with the Laurens County Green Teens led to a recycling program at area schools. PET 1 bottles were collected, recycled, and used to manufacture carpet. Money raised from the recycling went back to schools in the Dublin and Laurens County area.

Hardy also organized a community-wide volunteer project. Under Hardy's guidance, more than 150 volunteers tore down an old playground and re-built a new one at a Laurens County shelter for abused women and their children. In addition to re-building the playground equipment, Hardy's group water-stained the wooden fences, built a rain shelter, and put together several sitting benches.

At Georgia Southern, Hardy has volunteered for the massive campus re-lamping project where traditional incandescent bulbs are being switched to energy-efficient, environmentally-friendly CFL's. Hardy also volunteers during Georgia Southern home football games to collect items for recycling that might normally be thrown away after tailgating.

"At Georgia Southern University, we work everyday to teach our students how important it is to be a part of the global community and to give back to others," said Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management Teresa Thompson. "We are so proud that Crystal's outstanding contributions to society and the environment are being recognized on the world stage."

Hardy is one of only twenty people from the United States chosen by The Coca-Cola Company to carry the Olympic torch as an example of positive living. Others include U.S. Olympic gold medalists Shawn Johnson (Women's Gymnastics) and Steven Lopez (Taekwondo).