Journey of聽Hope
Carlos Saavedra
A college sophomore volunteers for a cross-country bike ride averaging 50鈥�100 miles per day, and he鈥檚 not even a cyclist. Life lessons and camaraderie ensue. This summer blockbuster starred Carlos Saavedra, but the story played out on America鈥檚 roadways instead of the silver screen. Now a junior criminal justice major, Saavedra became the fourth Pi Kappa Phi member from UT Arlington to complete the Journey of Hope ride benefiting people with disabilities. The 20-year-old from Chicago raised more than $5,000 for PUSH America, the fraternity鈥檚 charitable organization/foundation. A year ago, Mo Adwalla told his fraternity brothers that his 2010 ride was the best summer he ever had. 鈥淚 had a hard time believing it,鈥� says Saavedra, who ran more than he cycled to get in shape. 鈥淢y training was the first two weeks鈥� on the road. The route from San Francisco to Washington, D.C., came through Arlington on July 15. The 28 cyclists played the Movin鈥� Mavs wheelchair basketball team, one of many 鈥渇riendship visits鈥� that Saavedra says reminded the riders of their fundraising goals. 鈥淚t really was the best summer of my聽life.鈥�