March 18, 2013

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Kentucky gymnastics junior Kayla Hartley has been named to the Southeastern Conference Gymnastics Community Service team, the league office announced.

The Community Service Team looks to highlight an athlete from each school who gives back to her community in superior service efforts.

Hartley has logged more than 150 hours of community service since the start of the 2010 academic year.

The Versailles, Ky., native spent 100 hours on a mission trip to Ethiopia last summer. She has also participated in such service events as the SEC food drive, the Hope Lodge Tree Lighting Ceremony and National Gymnastics Day.

Hartley has visited local elementary schools as part of the Kentucky gymnastics team’s “Gold Medal Effort” program, while also speaking to children about the importance of academics including a trip to Huntertown Elementary School. She has also been a nursing home visitor in Georgetown, Ky.

She was recently inducted into the Frank G. Ham Society of Character, largely in part for her substantial service efforts.

Hartley also packed and delivered goods as part of the God’s Pantry Back Pack Program, packed meals for Haiti relief, spent time as a server at Free Friday Pancake Night on the UK campus and served as a Salvation Army bell ringer during the holiday season. She also served as a Special Olympics event judge as well as a Jesus Prom volunteer.

Hartley has made the Dean’s List all three years at UK, while also being named to the 2011-12 SEC Honor Roll and the 2010-11 SEC Freshman Honor Roll.

She has also enjoyed a great 2013 season as she has won 5 event titles this season, and leads UK with a 9.805 uneven bars average. She has also earned a career-high 9.9 on floor exercise twice in 2013.