LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - UNLV Athletics kicked off its inaugural Rebel Kindness Challenge, an anti-bullying campaign for elementary students, last week at CT Sewell Elementary School. UNLV student-athletes Sadie Stutzman (volleyball) and Vince Taormina (baseball) as well as KTNV Channel 13's Beth Fisher from "Good Morning Las Vegas" spoke to the students about being kind and standing up against bullying. Also in attendance were the UNLV Star of Nevada marching band and members of the cheer team.

In conjunction with National Bullying Prevention Month, UNLV Athletics is encouraging CT Sewell students to "Be A REBEL" -- Rebels Ending Bullying by Encouraging Leadership & respect. This initiative is based off the book, "Have you Filled a Bucket Today?" by Carol McCloud, and encourages each student to fill their peers' buckets and, in turn, their own with acts of kindness towards each other with the hope of creating an accepting environment.

Each student received a "swag bag" filled with a UNLV Rebel Ally wristband and other UNLV-branded items, such as: sunglasses, water bottle and bucket for the kindness challenge.

Rebel Ally Swag Bag

To celebrate those who complete a minimum of six acts of kindness over the three-week period, students will receive a certificate of completion and a voucher for two (2) complimentary tickets to UNLV's football game versus Wyoming on November 12. Additionally, the five students who complete the most acts of kindness will receive the opportunity to be recognized on the field during the football game.

UNLV Athletics would like to thank Matthew Frazier and the Kish Foundation for facilitating the opportunity to host this special event.

As the year progresses, UNLV Athletics hopes to continue to expand and influence more local elementary schools with the meaningful message about the impact of bullying.

UNLV Athletics believes service within the community is important for enhancing the surrounding communities, the City of Las Vegas and the State of Nevada. Through the involvement of coaches, administrators, student-athletes, cheerleaders and its mascot, Hey Reb!, UNLV Athletics is working towards enriching and impacting our community and leading the way in education, athletics and community service.

"Taking time to give back to the Las Vegas community is a priority for UNLV Athletics," said UNLV Director of Athletics Tina Kunzer-Murphy. "I am so proud of the service and many hours our student-athletes and coaches have dedicated to our community. It's evident that our student-athletes are unselfish and unwavering in their commitment to service."

UNLV has made community service an integral part of being a Rebel. Its student-athletes continue to impact our Las Vegas community. Community outreach is a key component for student-athlete development, and it provides an opportunity for each individual to give back while simultaneously providing invaluable life opportunities for service and leadership.

A record 9,106 total volunteer hours were logged during the 2015-16 academic year through community service projects with various organizations like Three Square Food Bank, Las Vegas Rotary Club, Opportunity Village and the Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth.