– In an effort to promote education and community outreach, NFL veterans and Dallas natives, Wade Smith and Patrick Crayton, have partnered their respective not-for-profit foundations with the Red Bull Soapbox Race to provide two student teams from DeSoto High School the opportunity to flex their science and math muscles.  On September 15, 2012 in Plano, Texas, the 16 physics students will compete against dozens of other teams for a once-in-a-lifetime trip to see the Red Bull Formula One team in Austin, Texas, this November.

“The Wade Smith Foundation strives to facilitate opportunities for our young people to expand their minds and take part in a variety of learning experiences.  I’m extremely excited to see the amount of creativity, intelligence and hard work that the students of DeSoto High School will display in the upcoming Red Bull event,” states Wade Smith.  His foundation, which was launched this spring, has an educational arm that focuses on literacy, math and science. 

Both student teams have presented their proposals and sketches and will work throughout the summer break constructing and testing their soapboxes. Smith and Crayton have agreed to visit with their teams to provide feedback and support leading up to the September competition. 

“We are extremely grateful for our students to be chosen for this opportunity and they are very excited,“ shared Michael Osborne, one of the DeSoto High School science teachers leading the teams.

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Wade Smith is a 10-year NFL veteran and offensive lineman for the Houston Texans with roots in the Dallas area. In 2012, Smith founded The Wade Smith Foundation whose mission and vision hinge upon supporting “children, charity and community”. For more information, visit wadesmithfoundation.org.

Patrick Crayton is a 8-year NFL veteran and free-agent Wide Receiver whose played for both the Dallas Cowboys and the San Diego Chargers. He is a graduate of DeSoto High School and founded The Patrick Crayton Foundation, which is dedicated to assisting disadvantaged children. For more information, visit thepatrickcrayton.com/community/foundation.