On Saturday, September 20, 2003, bodybuilding legend and two-time Mr. Universe, Lou Ferrigno presented Cardte Hicks with the California Lottery's "Hero in Education" award on the California Lottery's "Big Spin" show. Ferrigno has also made his mark in film and television. He has starred on the Sci-Fi channel's Black Scorpion and on the CBS sit-com The King Of Queens. He is best known for his role as the "the hulk" in the television classic The Incredible Hulk.
Cardte Hicks is a former professional women's basketball star and owner/founder of a Sacramento organization known as "Legends: Kids First Inc." Through her organization, Hicks conducts a summer basketball camp for inner-city kids, in which they learn valuable life skills including teamwork, sportsmanship and communication. Ms. Hicks also teaches these kids the importance of a good education and encourages them to focus on their schoolwork. She invites successful athletes to drop by and talk to the kids about the need for a solid education as a supplement to their athletic abilities.
Ms. Hicks has also set up a "mobile tutoring" program, in which she and several volunteers travel to schools throughout Sacramento to tutor "at-risk" students in virtually every subject. The group comes equipped with laptops, books and other materials, in an effort to provide kids with the tool's they'll need for a brighter future.
The California Lottery's distinguished "Heroes in Education" award has been presented monthly on "The Big Spin®" television show, since 1999. The Lottery partners with various celebrities to present these awards which recognize special individuals who devote their time and resources to their schools and communities.