South Elementary physical education teacher Vicki Troutman wanted a climbing wall for her students, something to get their minds off video games and into exercise. When none of the grants to defray the wall’s cost came through, she called a former Mooresville High [NC] student who had volunteered for her at elementary school field days. Kelley Earnhardt then called another Mooresville High alum, her brother Dale Earnhardt Jr. The man currently ranked No. 2 in NASCAR’s Winston Cup standings donated $5,000, the entire cost of the wall and then some. Troutman had hoped for a wall 25 feet to 30 feet long; Earnhardt Jr. gave enough for 40 feet. As 800 unsuspecting students and their teachers gathered, Earnhardt Jr. sheepishly strode in through the gym’s back door Wednesday, his head bowed in his trademark red Budweiser baseball cap, to dedicate the wall. It was his first charity appearance at any school. Promising not to ask about girlfriends, Troutman put student questions to Dale Jr. See the few story and answers to thise questions at the Charlotte Observer .(8-28-2003)
