Children dancing to Hannah Montana songs may seem pretty commonplace on elementary school playgrounds, but consider that at a Lawrence elementary school, Kansas senior diver Meghan Proehl is the one teaching them the moves, and things start to get a little unusual.

Proehl, a San Diego native, learned the dance steps to the Hannah Montana song “Hoe Down Throw Down” as a way to connect with her Little Sister from a school mentors program directly tied to the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization.

“I did it at recess for all of the girls and they probably thought it was the coolest thing ever,” Proehl says. “I was trying to teach them the moves and they loved it.”

This semester marks the fourth straight semester Proehl has taken time out of her busy schedule as a student athlete to spend at least one hour every week with her Little Sister. During the time they spend together, Proehl will eat lunch with her Little Sister, play with her throughout recess or help her with her schoolwork.

“I think it’s nice for her to have another older role model in her life,” Proehl says. “And that’s kind of what I try and be for her.”

In addition to volunteering through the Big Brothers Big Sisters program, Proehl, along with a large number of the swimming and diving team, participates in several community service activities. Last year, senior swimmer Carrah Haley says members of the team volunteered with the Aquahawks, the Special Olympics, Humane Society, and the Jubilee Café.

“We try and make sure, as a team, that we’re giving back to the community all the time,” Haley says.

The swimming and diving team generally reserves its community service events for the spring semester following the conclusion of the season. That doesn’t mean that Proehl is the only team member who volunteers individually throughout the season, though.

Coach Clark Campbell says Joy Bunting volunteers with her church and Amanda Maez, Alyssa Potter, and Brittany Potter often volunteer.

While Proehl manages to balance her time between her schoolwork, athletic practices, social life and volunteering, sometimes these activities overlap. People around her seem to notice her gains from volunteering.

“She’s doing well academically and athletically, and she’s become a complete person because of the good that she exudes upon others,” Campbell says.

Until recently, Haley had no idea that Proehl dedicated so much of her time to volunteering with the Big Brothers Big Sisters program. Haley, however, was not surprised upon learning of Proehl’s other extracurricular activity.

“She’s not one to brag about what she does extra,” Haley says. “She’s really humble. She always knows what’s right and doesn’t expect people to praise her for it.”

Haley, along with the rest of the Kansas swimming and diving team, has witnessed the successes Proehl has already achieved in the pool this season. Proehl has won several individual events and was honored by the Big 12 as the conference’s diver of the week following her first-place performances in both the 1-meter and 3-meter board against Florida and Arkansas.

Proehl, however, doesn’t wish to end her string of achievements there, and she has set her sights on the NCAA championships, which take place in March.

“I know that in Meghan’s mind she wants to qualify for the NCAA championships,” Campbell says. “I really believe that that’s a goal that is going to be realized.”

One of the forces driving Proehl toward her goals stems from the time she has dedicated to people outside the pool in Big Brothers Big Sisters.

“I do think it’s something that heightens confidence,” Campbell says. “Not just because you’re working with somebody, but because you’re gaining strength from knowing that you can help other people. That in turn helps Meg achieve more in the pool.”

When March comes and goes, Proehl’s time as a student athlete at the University of Kansas will end and soon after she will have to say goodbye to her Little Sister. After more than two years of getting to know her, Proehl will likely leave Lawrence to find a job elsewhere.

“I felt bad,” Proehl says. “I had to tell her this year that this was going to be our last year together, and she was upset. She was not really understanding why.”

Wherever Proehl winds up following her graduation, though, she wants to continue with her volunteering in any way possible.

“It would be really great getting involved in the program in a new city and have a new Little,” Proehl says.