Veronica Paul Leads the Way as Skyhawks and CareSource Inspire Students

The College Park Skyhawks (4-5) and CareSource, a nonprofit managed care organization serving over 430,000 Georgians, teamed up for back-to-back Education Day Games at Gateway Center Arena on Tuesday, Dec. 2, and Wednesday, Dec. 3. The Skyhawks capped off the second day with a thrilling 116-111 victory over the Westchester Knicks (1-8), completing a two-game sweep.

Behind the seamless execution of these events was Veronica Paul, Senior Manager of Event Production, who played a pivotal role in designing engaging performances and educational experiences for students.

“The energy, the energy was truly insane,” Veronica said. “For our first game, we had around 2,300 kids in the building, and the second game brought 1,700. Everyone was so excited. The middle school dancers performing in front of that crowd were blown away by the support—it was amazing to see.”

Veronica tailored the performances to highlight the unique strengths of each group, from middle school dancers to collegiate performers, emphasizing age-appropriate routines while encouraging creativity and athleticism.

“For each team, we conducted a preliminary workshop to gauge movement abilities and teach a sideline routine. Then we incorporated freestyling to see their natural choices and tailored the routines to fit each group’s skill level,” she explained.

The Skyhawks and CareSource have a long-standing commitment to education in the community. Over the past two years, they have donated more than 8,000 school supplies to West Clayton Elementary School, home of the Skyhawks’ “Colli’s Classroom” adoption program. CareSource also contributed 250 tickets to students and faculty of Atlanta Public Schools for the Education Day Games, with attendees receiving a co-branded, interactive education booklet to enhance the experience.

For Veronica, the most rewarding part of her work is inspiring young dancers and students to see what is possible.

“I was exposed to dance in a pro sports perspective relatively late in life, so sharing with middle school and collegiate dancers that there’s something beyond competition at this early stage is really powerful,” she said. “Watching them perform, push themselves, and believe in their abilities is incredible.”

She also highlighted the impact of mentorship, noting how older dancers from the South Side Crew conducted workshops for younger participants, giving them insight into careers in sports, dance, and the arts beyond the court.

“The G League is about creating future stars on and off the court. We prioritize classroom engagement, internships, job shadowing, and hands-on experiences in marketing, video production, PR, and dance,” she said. “Connecting with local schools strengthens the community and shows students there are many ways to thrive in sports beyond playing the game.”

For the students in the crowd, the experience was equally inspiring. Veronica explained:

“Being on center court and looking out into that crowd is unlike anything else. Seeing professional dancers perform makes students believe, ‘If they can do it, I can too.’ For Raybun Gap dancers, performing one of their own routines brought the house down—it was relatable, skillful, and personal.”

When asked for advice for aspiring young dancers, Veronica shared a mantra she lives by:“Your attitude determines your altitude. Believe in yourself, work step by step, and align with the right people—you can achieve it.”

Reflecting on her own journey, she added: “Dance saved my life. Youth sports and arts provide outlets, opportunities, and a sense of community. Watching these young dancers put everything into their rehearsals and performances reminded me of how far I’ve come—and their future is so bright.”

The back-to-back Education Day Games showcased not only the Skyhawks’ on-court talent but also the power of sports and arts to inspire, educate, and strengthen the next generation of leaders and performers in the Atlanta community.